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.
