Dusib to conduct survey, identify beneficiaries in slum areas for housing in Delhi

Dusib to conduct survey, identify beneficiaries in slum areas for housing in Delhi

Though Dusib had started a survey of 695 identified and 82 unlisted city slums in 2019, it had to be discontinued due to differences with Delhi Development Authority. While DDA later said it would carry out its own survey and allot houses to eligible beneficiaries under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Delhi government has its own scheme in the form of MMAY to provide pucca houses to the poor.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced the construction of nearly 90,000 flats in November 2020 for EWS under ‘Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan’ policy in three phases. The government also has nearly 60,000 built and partially-built vacant flats, but a large number of these will go to the Centre under the Affordable Rental Housing Complex scheme.

Officials said nearly 21 lakh people in Delhi live in slums. To provide pucca houses under MMAY, the government needs a huge inventory and an estimate of how many flats are required. The new survey, they said, will help gather that information.

Dusib CEO K Mahesh said, “We would like to set up libraries for children in Basti Vikas Kendra. About 45% of families are nuclear and parents leave kids behind for work. We will explore options to set up creches.”

Mahesh said the survey will include 195 permanent night shelters. Dusib will engage university students for the exercise.