Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) A total of 33 slum clusters in Delhi will be removed from October and those residents eligible for alternate housing will be relocated, Public Works Department Minister Rajkumar Chauhan said Wednesday.

“A total of 42 percent eligible slum dwellers in 33 slum clusters will be given alternate housing and those who are not (eligible) will be removed. The process will start from October,” Chauhan told reporters here.

Earlier, only 39 percent slum dwellers were found eligible but this has been increased to 42 percent.

The alternate housing will be under the economically weaker section (EWS) category, he said.

“There are 7 plots in the capital, including a plot earmarked for a five star hotel, which will be auctioned for raising funds for the EWS housing,” Chauhan added.

“Apart from that, the government will also construct holding areas in the capital for ineligible families who would be be given accommodation for six months before they find suitable places for themselves. But that will done later,” he added.

It was decided, at the meeting, that the Delhi Urban Slum Improvement Board will get a revolving fund of Rs.200 crore. Apart from that, Rs.80 crore will also be released for the salaries of the employees of the board, earlier under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Chauhan told reporters that those slum dwellers, who could not furnish the required documents for relocation for whatever reasons, can approach the authorities concerned so that they can be allotted alternate houses.