(The Pioneer)
In a major push for women’s empowerment, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is fast-tracking the construction of Shramjeevi Mahila Hostels to provide safe and affordable housing for working women.
Supported by the Central and state governments, 15 hostels are targeted for completion within the 2024-25 financial year.
Launched in 2024-25, the Shramjeevi Mahila Hostel scheme is being implemented by the Women Welfare Department under the Government of India’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) programme. A total of eight stateof-the-art hostels, each capable of accommodating 500 women, are being built in Lucknow, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, under the scheme.
The hostels are being built to the highest safety standards, featuring CCTV surveillance, security guards, fire extinguishers, crèche facilities, backup generators, gymnasiums, auditoriums, laundry services, parking areas, public transport vehicles, canteens and departmental stores.
Under the Mission Shakti guidelines, wardens, security staff and housekeeping teams will be appointed for the hostels. Land for these projects has been secured on an annual lease of just Re 1.
Seven additional hostels, each with a capacity for 500 women, are being constructed in Varanasi, Meerut, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Kanpur Nagar, Jhansi and Agra, with a budget allocation of Rs 170 crore under the Mukhyamantri Shramjeevi Mahila Hostel Yojana –a 100 per cent statefunded initiative.
The ambitious project is poised to significantly enhance the quality of life of working women by providing secure living spaces and better opportunities for their children’s upbringing. It reflects the government’s commitment to fostering self-reliance among women, enabling them to excel in their professional pursuits without concern for safety or housing.
Women Welfare and Child Development Director Sandeep Kaur emphasised, “Our aim is to provide a safe and dignified environment for working women, empowering them to move confidently towards self-reliance. All hostels will operate in strict compliance with Mission Shakti guidelines.”
