Chandigarh, June 19:Affordable, high-security residential facilities are being developed for working women across prominent urban hubs in Punjab, with the state expanding its network of specialized hostels to five upcoming locations. The Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development aims to address the growing demand for safe accommodations by ensuring nominal rental rates for the incoming workforce.
“Accommodation in these hostels would be provided to working women at highly affordable and nominal rental charges, thereby easing the burden on women employed away from their hometowns,” maintained Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur during the inauguration of a premier seven-storey project in Mohali.
The newly launched flagship project in Mohali’s Sector 66 requires an investment of ₹70 crore and is configured to support 484 residents with versatile living spaces, child care crèches, and recreational centers. Alongside this infrastructure, the state has already deployed similar support networks, including an operational 100-capacity facility running effectively via a rented Red Cross building in Bathinda.
“Wherever there is a demand for such facilities, the Department is prepared to make suitable arrangements, including rented accommodation, to ensure safe housing for working women,” asserted Dr. Baljit Kaur, outlining that the administration remains highly responsive to district-level housing requests.
The construction pipeline is being handled on a priority basis by the Public Works Department, spanning a ₹25.26 crore facility at NIFT Mohali, a ₹12.57 crore hub in Sector 79 Mohali, a ₹10.11 crore residential building in Jalandhar, and a ₹27.34 crore establishment in Amritsar. Senior administrative officials, including Department Director Dr. Shena Aggarwal and Special Secretary Keshav Hingonia, joined the launch to review execution metrics.
“The project is being executed by the Public Works Department on a priority basis,” stated the Minister, expressing full confidence that the vast construction network would meet its designated completion timelines to serve incoming professionals swiftly.
