Slums Need Government's Undivided Attention

This year's budget speech had several announcements aimed at making housing more affordable and help the government achieve its housing for all by 2022 mission. While the government looks determined to achieve this dream, the big hurdle it faces is replacing slums with homes. 

Data show 17.4 per cent of India's urban population lives in slums. This population is expected to rise from 93.1 million in 2001 to 104.7 million in 2017.

At a time when the government is giving a big push to infrastructure development, a rise in the number of slums would puncture the whole planning. What makes matters worse are the illegal settlements mushrooming across Indian cities. This is the reason why we need a vision document for slum redevelopment that suggests ways to improve the lifestyle of the dwellers.

Also read: Why There Are More Slums In Maharashtra Than In Any Other Indian State

Demolition is certainly not an option, considering informal settlements often run a parallel economy. Mumbai's Dharavi is an example that shows government action to resettle the residents of such settlements, will, predictably, see a strong backlash. Private estimate shows the informal economy of Dharavi has an annual turnover of $1 billion and employs close to a million people.

While doing so what could be the future course?

To solve one of urban India's most pressing problems, the planners need to utilise the future lands for a better and low-cost housing. Here is a point for the urban planners to consider.

Almost all Indian cities has patches of land that are sealed for future development. Like community centres, administrative offices, educational centres, etc. Some part of such land can be developed for mass housing for the common man, especially for those who come from villages and small towns to earn their livelihood in cities.

Also read

Why Demolition Should Figure As The Last Option For Authorities