Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday spotlighted a pilot smart village project near Nagpur featuring 1,000 houses of 550 sq ft each, priced at approximately Rs5 lakh, as a model for affordable, innovation-driven housing aligned with the purchasing power of common citizens.Speaking at the closing ceremony of Design Showcase ’26 and Confluence 3.0, organised by the Institute of Indian Interior Designers, Gadkari said the project would provide lifetime water and power facilities and rely extensively on waste and alternative materials to reduce costs.The smart village policy is being developed in cooperation with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, with land provided free of cost by the govt. The project aims to create a green and smart residential ecosystem for economically weaker sections.Gadkari said housing development must balance quality with affordability as the real estate sector expands. “While India is building aesthetically impressive structures, planners and architects must focus on reducing construction costs without compromising quality,” he said.Describing real estate as “one of the highest revenue generators for both the state and Central govts in terms of GST”, the minister noted its employment potential and growing role in shaping the country’s future. “The country’s socio-economic scenario is changing rapidly, and infrastructure and real estate will play a crucial role in shaping the future,” he said, adding that India should grow both economically and aesthetically through “beautiful and smart designs”.Drawing parallels with highway construction, Gadkari said innovation and research helped expand road networks at lower cost. “In road construction, our target is to build more roads without compromising quality, but at a lower cost. We are using waste materials in road construction and producing bio-bitumen from rice straw. Technology and research are the future,” he said.He urged architects to rebalance their portfolios. “You should dedicate 40% of your business to high-paying clients, but at least 60% must focus on those who cannot afford expensive housing. Affordable housing should be a priority,” he said.Gadkari also referred to the reuse of weeds from Ambazari Lake to produce utility items such as fruit and vegetable baskets, saying cost reduction through intelligent use of waste materials could make housing more accessible. “With proper skill and intelligent use of waste materials, we can significantly reduce costs and make housing affordable,” he said.
