First phase to rehabilitate Delhi's slum dwellers begins

New Delhi, Feb 18 (ANI): The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalised a rehabilitation scheme for 23 slum clusters proposed to be developed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode in the national capital.

Minister of State of Urban Development Ajay Maken recently laid the foundation stone at two colonies in Katputli Colony and Jailerwala Bagh where the first phase of rehabilitating 5,500 slum dwellers has begun.

" The DDA has decided that 23clusters will be rehabilitated in the first phase. 52, 000 flats will be constructed. Katputli colony and Jailerwala Bagh area will be allotted 5,500 to 6,000 flats for which the work has started off. The slum dwellers will be allotted to live in flats within a radius of 1.5 kms of their present location," Maken said.

Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said that for the first time slum dwellers would be allocated flats with all necessary facilities at the same place where they are living.

"All kinds of facilities will be given for them as they have the right to stay with all such facilities around," Sibal added.

The vision is to have a slum free Delhi by 2012.

Currently, there are over three million people estimated to be living in 1,500 slums in the city. (ANI)