Veering off the earlier format of taking slum rehabilitation projects to the outskirts of the city, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday announced a scheme in which slum dwellers would be rehabilitated in the same area where their clusters are located.

Modelled on the lines of Mumbai’s rehabilitation scheme, Delhi aims to rope in private players to develop multi-storey houses to create close to 45,000 dwelling units in identified slum clusters across the city.

“One of the biggest problems we faced with previous attempts at slum rehabilitation was loss of employment, for residents had to be relocated,” DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar said. “The new system will ensure those living in JJ (jhuggi-jhopri) clusters are provided decent, hygienic houses without having to give up their jobs.

“Moreover, there will be no burden on the exchequer since it will be done on a public-private partnership mode.”

To start with, 21 slum clusters have been identified for redevelopment and consultants have already been appointed for 10 of these. “The consultants’ work involves surveying the sites, physical verification of the number of slum dwellers, socio-economic status surveys, and preparing financial estimates for the project,” Dhar said.

According to DDA, pre-qualification tenders have already been floated for four sites: Kathputli Colony, Jailerwala Bagh, Block E&F Rohini, and Keshavpur in Vikaspuri. As per the timelines charted out for these four sites, DDA expects the pre-qualification application by mid-September and hopes to award contracts by November-end.

“The actual development work is likely to begin by mid-December,” Dhar said.

How Scheme Works
As per plans, land will be sold to a private firm, to be selected through tender. “The private player will develop 9-11 storey houses as per land,” a senior DDA official said. “A section of the land will be set aside for commercial use by the private players. But all these details will emerge only after the consultants carry out detailed studies.” There would be provision for elevators since these will be multi-storey units, the official said. As per Masterplan 2021, the new units would have density of 600 dwelling units per hectare, and Floor Area Ratio of 400 — that is, total built-up area can be four times the plot. While details for distribution are yet to be decided, officials said residents would have to pay a nominal sum in order to live in the new houses. Sources said once consultants submit financial estimates, they would most likely propose subsidies and remuneration, which will be covered by the government.

Zeroed-in for rehab
* 3 clusters in Vasant Vihar
* 6 clusters in and around Vikaspuri
* 3 clusters in Rohini
* 5 clusters in and around

Ashok Vihar
* 3 clusters in and around

Dilshad Garden
* 1 cluster in Kalkaji

Total dwelling units: 43,689

The Mumbai plan
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) was established in the late-nineties. The scheme promised free homes for all slum dwellers, or 60 per cent of the city’s population. Under the scheme, private builders have to take permission of 70 per cent of the slum dwellers and submit a proposal. The developer has to re-house the residents in a building at the same location, and is allowed profit by constructing flats in another building that can be sold at commercial rates.