New Delhi, Aug. 25 -- Delhi is set to move towards a revised framework for in-situ slum rehabilitation, with the government looking to expand affordable housing options for eligible residents of identified Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters. Under the DUSIB Act, 2010, settlements on government land can be identified as JJ clusters if they comprise at least 50 jhuggis and are found to have poor or unsafe living conditions. The revised policy is expected to extend benefits to residents of such settlements who were living there as of January 1, 2025.
According to an official, the proposed policy will enable eligible slum dwellers to access affordable housing units, subject to certain charges. Residents will have to establish their eligibility through valid identification documents or an electricity connection in their name. The focus will remain on in-situ rehabilitation wherever feasible, while relocation within a 3-km radius may be considered where redevelopment at the existing site is not possible.
Different clusters are also expected to be assessed to develop viable rehabilitation models. Projects may be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, allowing developers to create commercial spaces alongside rehabilitation housing. For a Viksit Delhi, de-slumification of the Capital is being viewed as imperative, with the broader objective of providing affordable housing to slum dwellers and improving living conditions across the city. The approach also aligns with the planning vision of the new Master Plan for Delhi, which is expected to incorporate norms for rehabilitation and redevelopment.
Alongside housing, the planning framework will focus on strengthening Delhi's environmental infrastructure by connecting green and blue spaces, including forests, parks and water bodies. The proposed network aims to improve ecological connectivity while helping the city address pollution and the impacts of extreme climatic conditions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.