Slum dwellers economically secure, says study

Some interesting facts and figures pertaining to slums in the city, have emerged during a survey conducted by the Regional Central for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Osmania University, Hyderabad in the city.

According to the survey, there are 53,929 households constituting 2.35 lakh population in 172 slums, occupying three per cent of the city corporation limits (totalling 128.42 square km), in the city.

However, 37,206 households need to avail the benefit, as majority of 54 per cent houses are semi-pucca, 33 per cent pucca and 13 per cent kucha houses. Such houses could be completed by filling the gaps by addressing the needs. While 431 households have to be relocated.

Among the slum dwellers, 91 per cent (49,129) of the households belong to below poverty line (BPL) families, with 17 per cent being matriarchal families.

Contrary to the general understanding that hygiene takes a beating in slums, the study finds 62 per cent of the slums located in non-hazardous areas, against four per cent of the slums in hazardous areas, while 18 pc are found alongside railway tracks.

Economically too, over 50 per cent of the dwellers are in good position, with a majority of them being salaried and self-employed with a regular income. As many as 73 per cent of the households are assured of more than Rs 3,000 income per month.