Chandigarh, November 21, 2025: The Punjab government has approved the construction of five working women’s hostels in three districts, marking one of its largest recent investments in urban accommodation for women in employment. The total project cost has been set at ₹150 crore, and officials said the hostels would be spread across Mohali, Amritsar and Jalandhar.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the decision followed repeated feedback from women who reported difficulty finding secure and affordable housing. “Women moving to cities for work often struggle with both cost and safety,” he noted, adding that the hostels are intended to provide a stable alternative.
Punjab currently operates two state-run hostels for working women—opened in 2019 in Ludhiana and Patiala—at an expenditure of about ₹35 crore. The facilities have since accommodated more than 200 women. For many, the shift has reduced living costs. “My monthly expenses dropped from ₹8,000 to around ₹3,500 after moving in,” said resident Neha Sharma.
Officials say the new project responds to increasing numbers of women seeking jobs in Mohali’s technology sector, Amritsar’s commercial areas and Jalandhar’s manufacturing clusters. In many cases, the absence of reliable accommodation has acted as a barrier to women accepting jobs in these cities.
Each hostel is expected to house between 150 and 200 women and will include CCTV surveillance, security guards, Wi-Fi, common spaces and basic medical assistance. The Social Welfare Department said lessons from earlier hostels have shaped the updated design. “The aim is to provide facilities near public transport routes and major employment zones, while keeping the pricing accessible,” said department official Dr. Simranjit Kaur.
Economists say improved housing options could contribute to workforce stability. “When women have predictable, safe living arrangements, they are more likely to stay in their jobs and pursue better opportunities,” said Professor Mandeep Kaur of Panjab University.
The government expects construction to take nearly two years. Once operational, the hostels are likely to serve hundreds of women relocating for employment and may help address long-standing concerns about urban safety and affordability.
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