The Delhi government has allocated Rs 700 crore for the comprehensive development of slum areas across the capital.
This significant decision, aimed at improving the quality of life for thousands of low-income residents, was announced during a recent visit by the Delhi Chief Minister to the Shalimar Bagh constituency. The funds will be channelled through the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which will oversee the infrastructure upgrades, including better sanitation, water supply, roads, and other essential amenities. The ₹700 crore allocation comes at a time when slums in Delhi are grappling with inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and lack of basic services. The announcement signifies a shift in the Delhi government’s focus on providing equitable living conditions for all residents, ensuring that the capital’s most vulnerable communities are not left behind in the city’s growth.
The Chief Minister, during her visit, outlined the government’s commitment to ensuring that every slum in the city would receive essential infrastructure upgrades. She said that the initiative would provide better access to toilets, bathrooms, paved streets, and other crucial facilities for the residents of these informal settlements. This commitment to slum redevelopment follows years of neglect in addressing the needs of the city’s informal dwellers. Among the major projects already underway, several slum clusters in the city have received significant improvements. In Ayurvedic Camp, for instance, DUSIB has redeveloped 40 lanes, while the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has installed new water pipelines to ensure a more reliable water supply. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has constructed two new lanes in BC (East), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) has inaugurated three lanes in Ambedkar Nagar. The ongoing work is being closely monitored by senior government officials to ensure timely completion with adherence to high-quality standards.
One of the key objectives of this initiative is to upgrade slums into more sustainable and livable communities. As part of the development plan, the government will provide not only basic amenities but also improve social infrastructure, such as building children’s parks and schools, especially for girls. By focusing on these social and environmental upgrades, the Delhi government is ensuring that the slum redevelopment initiative goes beyond physical infrastructure and creates an environment where residents can thrive. The government has also announced plans to renovate 52,000 economically weaker section (EWS) flats that have been lying vacant for a decade. These flats, constructed several years ago, had been left in a state of disrepair. Now, following renovations, they will be made available to those in need, providing long-term housing solutions for the city’s most marginalised communities. This move is expected to ease the housing crisis in Delhi, where a growing population has made affordable housing a significant challenge.
The CM’s visit was not just about announcing new initiatives but also about addressing the ground realities that have plagued slum dwellers for decades. “People living in slum clusters for years have suffered without proper roads, drainage, or toilets. With these new measures, we are ensuring that no one is left behind,” the Chief Minister remarked, reinforcing her commitment to the upliftment of underprivileged sections of society. Moreover, the Delhi government has vowed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities, including the drug trade, in slum areas. Officials have been instructed to crack down on narcotics-related issues to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. This is part of a broader initiative to improve the overall social fabric of slum areas, creating safe, secure environments for their residents.
While the initiative has garnered praise for its focus on slum development, critics argue that it remains to be seen how effectively these plans will be executed, particularly in terms of providing long-term, sustainable infrastructure that will not degrade over time. There are concerns about ensuring proper maintenance of the new amenities once they are established and whether the residents will be adequately involved in the planning and execution processes. However, experts note that this ₹700 crore allocation is a step in the right direction for the city’s urban development strategy. By prioritising slum redevelopment and ensuring that marginalised communities are provided with better living conditions, the Delhi government is setting a new precedent for inclusive urban growth. The move aligns with broader goals of creating more equitable and sustainable cities, which are crucial in a country that faces significant urbanisation challenges. This initiative is also part of a larger effort to address the environmental impact of rapid urbanisation. By improving infrastructure, slums are expected to see a reduction in environmental degradation, such as poor waste management and inadequate sewage systems, which have long plagued these informal settlements. Furthermore, better public infrastructure will reduce the carbon footprint of slum dwellers, as they will no longer need to rely on makeshift solutions that contribute to pollution.
The Rs 700 crore pledge by the Delhi government for slum upgrades represents a landmark moment in the city’s development strategy. With an emphasis on infrastructure, housing, and social facilities, this initiative promises to bring much-needed improvements to the lives of slum dwellers, contributing to the broader goal of building sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable cities in India’s fast-growing urban centres.
Delhi Government Allocates Rs 700 Crore for Slum Development
