In a move viewed as having political undertones, the Delhi government is preparing to allot 52,000 flats to slum dwellers residing in various parts of the city.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made the announcement while inaugurating several development projects in the Shalimar Bagh area.
The chief minister said that "acche din" (good days) had finally arrived for slum dwellers after many years, and the BJP government would now provide proper streets, drainage systems, toilets, bathrooms and other essential facilities in their settlements.
While inaugurating the development of streets and drains in the Ayurvedic slum camp within her Shalimar Bagh constituency, she pointed out that those living in slum clusters for decades had been forced to endure poor living conditions, with a lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, drains and sanitation.
She criticised previous governments, stating, “Parties including the Congress and AAP did nothing for the slums and were only interested in the votes of the people living there. They used to frighten residents by saying their homes would be demolished if the BJP came to power.”
Reassuring the slum dwellers, she said, “No one will touch your slum, and we will provide essential facilities in your area. People have been living in miserable conditions. I have allocated Rs 700 crore for providing proper amenities in slum clusters.”
The chief minister also underlined her government’s stance of "zero tolerance" towards drug trafficking, particularly in and around slum areas. She directed police officials to take strict action against those involved in the illegal drug trade in these localities.
“We are preparing to allot the 52,000 flats, constructed over a decade ago but now lying in a dilapidated state, after renovation,” she told reporters.
These flats were originally built for slum dwellers and individuals belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS). However, their allotment had been delayed due to a long-standing dispute between the previous AAP-led Delhi government and the BJP-led central government.
The chief minister affirmed that all slum clusters in the city would soon be equipped with paved roads, drainage, toilets and bathrooms. “Wherever land is available, we will also develop parks near the slums,” she added.
She also instructed officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to resolve the drinking water issues faced by residents of the Ayurvedic slum camp. Additionally, she directed Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials to remove garbage from a nearby open ground and convert it into a park for children.
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