PATNA, Aug. 29 -- Ahead of the upcoming state polls, the Rural Development Department has speeded up construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), aiming to provide homes to below poverty line families, the homeless, and economically weaker sections. Out of the 12.25 lakh houses targeted in 2024-25 and 2025-26, nearly 12 lakh have already been sanctioned. Of these, 2.5 lakh units are complete, while about 75,000 more are nearing completion, officials said. "We have released the first installment for 11.35 lakh units, the second for 7.43 lakh units, and the third for 3.26 lakh units, which are now in the final stages of construction. Work is progressing rapidly across all sanctioned units," said an RDD official. Under PMAY-G, each beneficiary receives Rs.1.20 lakh for house construction, Rs.12,000 for toilets, and wages for 90 days under MGNREGA, amounting to around Rs.1.58 lakh in total support. Additionally, landless beneficiaries are provided Rs.1 lakh for land purchase, officials added. From 2016 to 2023, Bihar constructed 36.5 lakh houses out of the sanctioned 37 lakh, achieving near 100% coverage. "There is no backlog of sanctioned units under PMAY-G," said another official. In recent months, the pace of construction has quickened as both the state and central governments push to meet their target of 'housing for all'. "With 3.26 lakh units already completed, we expect many more to be handed over in the coming months," an RDD officer said. During his visit to Gaya on August 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi symbolically handed over house keys to beneficiaries, calling the PMAY-G homes "symbols of dignity" for the poor. He said these houses are equipped with electricity, water, toilets, and gas connections, ensuring convenience and safety for families. PM Modi also highlighted that more than 2 lakh families in Gaya district and 16,000 families in the Magadh region have received pucca houses under the scheme. Nationwide, he said, over 4 crore pucca houses have been built for the poor in the last 11 years, according to a government press statement....