The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a significant move towards urban renewal, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) announced its plans on Friday to redevelop three slum clusters in East Delhi as part of the ‘Jahan Jhuggi Wahin Makan’ initiative. This announcement, made through an official statement from Raj Niwas, identifies Kalandar Colony, Deepak Colony, and Dilshad Vihar Colony as the target areas for this ambitious in-situ slum rehabilitation project, benefiting around 4,000 households.
This project represents the first of its kind in the Trans-Yamuna region, encompassing East and Northeast Delhi, and is the fourth overall within the national capital. Previous projects have seen transformations at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh, and Kathputli Colony. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, has emphasized the importance of completing this project promptly, avoiding the delays that have plagued similar efforts in the past.
The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to a visit by LG Saxena to Kalandar Colony earlier in March, prompted by appeals from the local slum dwellers. Shocked by the dire living conditions and the lack of basic civic amenities for 30,000-35,000 residents, Saxena committed to this rehabilitation effort. These slum areas, currently devoid of essential services, have been under the purview of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for sanitation.
The redevelopment plan for Dilshad Garden’s three slum clusters aims to create multi-storey buildings equipped with modern amenities on approximately seven hectares, significantly improving the living conditions of current slum residents. The Lieutenant Governor has instructed the DDA to swiftly finalize and present a detailed project report, outlining the project’s financials and ensuring its timely execution.
However, the Delhi government has criticized the initiative, pointing to the demolition of many slum clusters under LG Saxena’s tenure, which they claim has left over 300,000 people homeless. Accusing the LG of attempting an image overhaul ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the state government contends that those displaced, now forced to live under flyovers and on sidewalks, will not easily forgive the central government and the LG for their hardships.