New Delhi, June 21 -- The Delhi government's newly approved rehabilitation and relocation policy for residents of Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters seeks to provide a dignified living environment for Gen Z, helping them access better education and pursue their aspirations, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood said on Sunday.
Announcing the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, Sood said the policy would help young residents realise their dreams and become active contributors to the country's growth.
He said providing secure housing and better civic amenities was essential for their social and economic progress. Calling it a major step towards building a "Viksit Rajdhani," Sood said the policy aligns with the broader vision of a "Viksit Bharat" and seeks to ensure inclusive urban development for all sections of society.
Sood said January 1, 2025, has been fixed as the eligibility cut-off date for rehabilitation benefits under the policy, intended to bring greater clarity and relief to eligible beneficiaries.
He alleged that the previous AAP government had failed to adequately address rehabilitation concerns, resulting in difficulties for
many residents.
By ensuring a proper educational environment, it aims to help them realise their dreams so they can actively contribute to the nation's growth, he said. The minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their support in making the policy possible and advancing the rehabilitation agenda for slum residents in the national capital.
Expressing confidence in the policy implementation, Sood said the chief minister Rekha Gupta-led government would achieve its targets and ensure that eligible residents receive the benefits envisaged under the rehabilitation and relocation plan.
On June 16, Shah said the Delhi government should issue tenders for at least five public-private-partnership-based rehabilitation projects every month. Chairing a review meeting on the rehabilitation of slum dwellers in the national capital, the home minister directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to issue tenders for five clusters within 45 days.
He told officials to prepare project documents and tender forms for an additional 50 JJ clusters.
"In the meeting, Shah said the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, has been finalised today and the Delhi government should notify it at the earliest," according to an official statement.
The home minister directed that sufficient provisions for community facilities, such as anganwadi centres, educational facilities, health centres and playgrounds, must be made during the construction of the rehabilitation colonies. Shah underlined that the decisions taken at the meeting will benefit four lakh families living in Delhi's "jhuggi-jhopdi" (JJ) clusters.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.