Ranchi: At least nine working women's hostels will be established by the Jharkhand government over the next two years to bolster accommodation support for the female workforce. The government has allocated a budget of Rs 175 crore for the project, with individual facility costs ranging from Rs 10.25 crore to Rs 23.5 crore depending on their capacity, officials said.
Construction and Management
The Jharkhand Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (JIIDCO) has floated multiple tenders to initiate the construction of the hostels. “The hostels are being constructed by JIIDCO and will be managed by the Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA). The construction will be completed within 18 months,” said Varun Ranjan, managing director of JIIDCO.
Capacity and Locations
The proposed facilities will offer different capacities, ranging from 100 to 500 beds. According to the development plan, two hostels each will be built in Ranchi and Deoghar, while Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Hazaribag, Dhanbad, and Giridih will receive one facility each. In the capital, a 500-bed hostel is planned for the Tatisilwai industrial area, alongside a 100-bed facility in Ormanjhi.
Intake Policy
While the primary focus is on supporting women employed in industrial zones, the hostels will have a broad intake policy. “The standard operating procedure for allotment and management of hostels is still to be prepared. As they are being constructed in industrial areas, they will be especially beneficial for women working in industries set up in these regions. However, they will be open to all working women,” Ranjan added.
Women Professionals Welcome Initiative
Female professionals have welcomed the initiative, noting that it addresses significant safety concerns for those moving from other districts. Anjali Kumari, a resident of Gumla who recently joined a firm in Ranchi, said, “I am currently staying in a shared room, and my parents are constantly anxious about my safety and well-being. I believe they will be much more relaxed once a government-run facility is established in the city.”
Sunita Munda, who travels from Khunti for work, added, “Finding secure accommodation is the biggest hurdle for women coming from interior districts. This initiative ensures that we don’t have to choose between our safety and our livelihood.”
