From Promise to Reality: Nearly Two Decades After Modi’s Housing Pledge, 2–3 Lakh Tribal Families in Gujarat Still Await Permanent Homes

Dilip Patel

Ahmedabad

When Narendra Modi campaigned in the 2007 Gujarat Assembly elections as Chief Minister, one of the key promises made to poor families was that every homeless family would receive a house. The commitment was reiterated during the 2012 Assembly elections, particularly in Gujarat’s tribal belt, where housing shortages and poor-quality dwellings remained a major concern.

Nearly two decades later, significant progress has been made through various state and central housing schemes. However, available data suggest that an estimated 2–3 lakh tribal families may still be living in kutcha or semi-pucca houses and continue to require housing assistance or home upgradation.

Housing Progress Since 2007

According to Government of India housing statistics, approximately 97–98 percent of all houses in Gujarat are now classified as pucca houses, while only about 3 percent remain kutcha or semi-pucca.

However, the situation in Gujarat’s tribal districts remains different from the state average. Districts such as Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Dang, Tapi, Mahisagar, Aravalli, Valsad and parts of Sabarkantha continue to have a higher proportion of kutcha and semi-pucca houses.

Estimates indicate that Gujarat has around 10–11 lakh Scheduled Tribe (ST) families. Of these:

PMAY-G and Tribal Housing

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), more than 3.55 lakh houses have been completed for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries in Gujarat.

Despite this achievement, housing experts estimate that between 2 lakh and 3 lakh tribal families may still require either a new house or substantial housing improvements.

Government records show that between 2016-17 and 2024-25, Gujarat received a target of 8,38,396 rural houses under PMAY-G and related schemes. Of these, approvals were granted for 8,29,221 houses.

By 2026, nearly 7 lakh houses had reportedly been completed at a total expenditure of ₹9,083.68 crore.

Modi’s 2026 Distribution Event

On March 29, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed approximately 38,000 houses to beneficiaries in Gujarat. Government data indicated that nearly 70 percent of these houses were located in tribal areas.

The event was presented as a major milestone in rural housing development. However, housing statistics suggest that the original promise of providing houses to all eligible tribal families has not yet been fully achieved.

District-Wise Housing Construction

Among tribal and rural districts, Panchmahal recorded the highest number of houses completed.

The Remaining Challenge

The housing story in Gujarat reflects both achievement and unfinished work.

On one hand, millions of rural residents have benefited from housing schemes, and the proportion of pucca houses has risen dramatically over the past two decades.

On the other hand, the tribal belt continues to lag behind state averages. Geographic isolation, poverty, land ownership issues and infrastructure constraints have slowed universal housing coverage.

The available estimates suggest that despite substantial investment and the construction of lakhs of houses, between 2 lakh and 3 lakh tribal families may still require safe and permanent housing.

As Gujarat moves toward its next phase of development, the key question remains whether the promise first made in 2007—that every poor family would have a house—can finally be fulfilled for the remaining tribal households.