More homes for the poor

40,000 new low-cost flats over 200 acres at two locations

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) on Saturday took several major decisions, including approval of a new project for construction of  40,000 flats for the urban poor at two locations.

The other decisions are approval of four more projects for construction of some 6,200 flats at various places, and allotment of 14,000 low-cost flats by September this year. It also decided that some 4,000 flats will be allotted soon as DUSIB has already chalked out a schedule to organise camps for determining eligibility.

Chaired by chief minister Sheila Dikshit, the eighth meeting of the board also approved the construction of a working women's hostel in Jhilmil Colony.

“The board has given its nod for construction of 40,000 flats for the urban poor on vacant land in Savda Ghevra (near Mundka) and Bhalswa Jahangirpuri. While a 100-acre vacant plot is available in Savda Ghevra, we have some 102 acres of vacant land in Bhalswa Jahangirpuri,” Dikshit told reporters after the meeting.

She said the city government is keen to accelerate the pace of allotment of already constructed flats at the earliest, and the board has chalked out a schedule to organise camps for different slum clusters to determine eligibility of beneficiaries. 

“We have been clearing 200 cases every day, and the schedule for May and June has been prepared. This will involve some 30 clusters, where more than 3,900 cases are to be cleared for allotment on in situ basis,” said Dikshit.

To ensure success of the camp, she said residents in clusters are being informed and educated well in advance so that they can come prepared with the necessary documents.
According to her, the board has decided to allot 14,000 low-cost flats by September this year.

Of this, allotment of 4,000 flats will be done at the earliest, for which identification of eligibility is in full swing.

She said the board has also approved four projects for construction of 6,200 EWS flats under Rajiv Awas Yojana, and in situ re-development scheme of JJ clusters.

At least 2,880 flats will be developed under Rajiv Awas Yojana in Sultanpuri, 1,472 dwelling units in Kalyanpuri and 600 units in Hari Nagar Ashram.

A scheme for construction of 1,220 dwelling units for lower income groups in Rohini Sector-23 also got the board's nod.

The board has approved a scheme for construction of a working women's hostel in Jhilmil Colony in east Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 3.74 crore.

It will accommodate 48 working women on twin sharing basis in 24 rooms.
The fund will be given by the Trans Yamuna Area Development Board.