DDA to Survey 173 Slum Clusters in Delhi for Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Improvement
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated a significant project to conduct a comprehensive survey of 173 slum clusters across the capital. This survey is part of a larger effort to improve infrastructure and develop resettlement programmes for the residents of these areas. These slums, often characterised by inadequate housing and poor facilities, are to be surveyed in order to identify the needs for urban rehabilitation and to plan for potential redevelopment.
As of now, Delhi is home to 675 slum clusters that were in existence before 2006. Of these, 378 are located on land owned by the DDA and various central government agencies. The remaining clusters fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). The last survey of these areas was conducted in 2012, but with many areas still unaccounted for, the DDA has set out to create a comprehensive database to assist with future infrastructure and rehabilitation efforts. The primary aim of the survey is to assess the population and household distribution in these slums, documenting residents’ eligibility for resettlement or in-situ development schemes. Under the norms of the DUSIB, only those who can prove residence in a particular slum prior to January 1, 2015, are eligible for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) flats. The survey will also evaluate the financial capacity of the residents to pay for housing, as well as their access to housing finance, which will play a pivotal role in determining the viability of resettlement programmes.
Among the slum clusters targeted for the survey are some of Delhi’s most well-known areas, including Lal Bagh Park near Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Sethi Camp, and Indira Vikas Colony in Mukherjee Nagar. These areas have long been known for their inadequate housing conditions, and the survey will provide essential data to help prioritise rehabilitation efforts. DDA officials have made it clear that this survey does not guarantee in-situ rehabilitation for all clusters. According to the Delhi Master Plan, a minimum area of 2,000 square metres is required to redevelop a site. While not all slums may qualify for redevelopment, the DDA is still committed to enhancing infrastructure and civic services in these areas, even if they are not redeveloped.
The survey will be conducted by specialised agencies, which will carry out door-to-door visits to collect data. This will include photographic documentation of households and a demand survey to identify new slum areas that may have emerged since the last survey. The data collected will be presented to the community for verification to ensure its accuracy and avoid exclusion of any households. While the survey process continues, the DDA has already made progress in rehabilitating slum dwellers. Two significant in-situ projects have been completed at Jailorwala Bagh and Kalkaji, where 1,400 and 3,024 EWS flats have been handed over to residents, providing them with permanent housing solutions. Work at Kathputli Colony, another high-profile slum redevelopment project, is expected to be completed by December 2025.
The survey and subsequent infrastructure upgrades are vital to improving the living conditions of the city’s slum dwellers, but they come with significant challenges. The scale of the project is vast, and the execution of these plans will require coordination across various government agencies and the community. Additionally, while the survey is a critical first step, its effectiveness will depend on how quickly and efficiently the collected data translates into concrete action on the ground. For Delhi’s slum residents, this initiative offers hope for better living conditions and opportunities for resettlement. However, as the survey progresses, attention must be given to the long-term sustainability of these improvements, ensuring that the infrastructure upgrades do not just remain on paper but are actively implemented to improve the quality of life for these communities.
