Undoubtedly, the residents of this modern district of Haryana are a harassed lot these days. Despite paying taxes of an urban society, they have to bear the brunt of being neighbours to the large number of the existing population of slums.

As for the officials of the Panchkula administration, notwithstanding the delay in the beginning of the slum rehabilitation project for the district, the work is on in the full swing. Officials claim that the city would completely be free of slums once the construction of houses, where the slum-dwellers will be rehabilitated, is over.

Residents of the city feel that the proximity with slums not only has an adverse effect on the overall urban environment of the city, but also leads to a substantial rise in the crime rate.

For Rakesh Mehra, a resident of Sector 4, staying in a rented accommodation was a preferred option than having a house constructed in Sector 25. “I have a 10 marla plot in Sector 25 but the only way to reach that sector is through the Azad colony which is the most horrifying part. I prefer staying in a rented accommodation than getting my house constructed in that sector till the slums there are relocated,” Mehra said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Suman Aggarwal, who owns a 14 marla plot in Sector 17 said, “We have been awaiting the relocation of thousands of slums in Rajiv and Indira colony, so that we can get our house constructed. The slums in the city are the biggest cause for the slow development of various sectors. Not only us, there are around 10 to 12 families who plan to get the houses constructed only after the area is free from these slums.”

Subhash Sharma, a resident of Sector 16, whose house faces one of the many slums based there, is frustrated with the entire scenario.

“Staying here, we do not feel like we are living in an urban area. The innumerable children of these slum colonies blindly urinate everywhere. The situation is pathetic and has also led to a sharp rise in the number of crime in the region.”

What officials say

“The only hitch in starting the process of construction work was the delay in release of amount by the Government of India. We have now received the amount and the construction work is on in the full swing. The most important criteria is to give priority to all those colonies which have a court case against them. Besides, some of the eligibility conditions would also include voters card, ration card and a proof of number of years they are residing in those colonies,” said Rajesh Gupta, a senior official of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). Another point of consideration would be a case of multiple ownerships, where a person would be eligible only for one flat so as to avoid doubling, he added.

Known as Ashiana, this Rs 75 crore mega project will help Panchkula realise its dream of being hundred per cent slum-free. The flats under the project would be constructed in Sectors 20, 26 and 28, which have been allocated for the relocation of these slums.