The Hindu 12.11.2009
Survey of 422 slums in city planned
Deepa H Ramakrishnan
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will soon commission a study on the household and livelihood profile of 422 slums across the city. While it is to effectively implement the schemes funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the data would also help the civic body assess other welfare measures for those living in slums.
The Corporation will float tenders inviting agencies to conduct the survey for gathering the details, including delivery of civic amenities and housing to the poor. The 422 slums have been identified under the Basic Services for Urban Poor Scheme Phase I and II. A one-time grant-in-aid of Rs.10 lakh to conduct the socio-economic survey would be provided by the National Buildings Organisation, a part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
As per the NBO, the agency coordinating various types of socio-economic surveys required for effective implementation of JNNURM and other urban poverty alleviation programme, the civic body must have a database on the slums, poverty and livelihood profiles. The Corporation would also have to ensure that requirements of the urban poor are adequately reflected with supporting database in City Development Plans.
“We had done a survey of slums several years ago, but now the needs of people have changed… even slums have changed. Many places are not slums in the old sense any more,” an official of the Corporation said.
