A huge shot in the arm for women's empowerment and safety, Punjab will be equipped with five ultra-modern Working Women Hostels, courtesy of a Rs 150 crore Central Government grant. The hostels will be set up in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mohali, with Mohali alone expected to have three of the new hostels.
Key highlights
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Five hostels in Punjab
The hostels will be constructed in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mohali. It's worth mentioning that Mohali will have three hostels, whereas Amritsar and Jalandhar will have one hostel each.
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Tender process in June
The tender process for the construction will start in June 2025, with preparation for the construction planned to start by July 2025. All the hostels are planned for completion by March 31, 2026.
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Safe housing for working women and students
These hostels will provide shelter to working women and girls who go to other districts for interviews, examinations, or work. Women employed in government, private sectors, or self-employed and students will be entitled to occupation.
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Modern facilities
The residents will be provided with safe housing, healthy food, gym and yoga rooms, and healthcare. There will also be a day-care center for mothers. Girls from far-flung villages will be able to stay upon providing documents like an Aadhaar card.
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Wider reach planned
The project plans to provide such facilities to urban, semi-urban, and rural belts depending upon local employment prospects.
Empowering women in Punjab
According to the officials, this project will provide much-needed support for women seeking jobs or educational opportunities away from home, ensuring their safety and well-being. The move is expected to encourage more women in Punjab to pursue employment and education without worrying about accommodation or safety.
Construction timeline
As per the given details, the project tendering process will start by July 2025, and thus the work will start by the upcoming months. The project completion date has been declared as March 31, 2026.
This project is a major milestone toward women's empowerment and safety in Punjab, creating a benchmark.