The Hindu       21.01.2015

Slum-free City plan put to discussion

The plan of action for the Slum-free City project of the city Corporation as part of the Union government’s Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) which aims at improving the conditions in 179 identified slums in the city, was put to discussion on Tuesday with various stakeholders.

The project with a total outlay of Rs.1,205 crore, envisages making capital a slum-free city within seven years. The three alternative plans as part of the project are to rebuild the existing slum, renovate the existing slum or relocate from the slum.

In the guidelines, relocation is suggested for slums located near railway lines, storm water drains or waterbodies. But in the discussion, opposing views to such relocation came up, as it will lead to loss of livelihood and other issues. Officials said that appropriate changes would be made to make relocation an option only in unavoidable cases.

The councillors of the coastal wards raised the issue of non-inclusion of beneficiaries from these areas.

Conditions in 179 identified slums in city to be improved.