Delhi’s recent efforts to revitalise slum rehabilitation have gained renewed focus. A government-industry task force recommended adopting Public Private Partnership (PPP) models to unlock the city’s real estate potential. Despite policy changes and incentives, progress remains slow. This article outlines the key facts and challenges of slum rehabilitation in Delhi.
Current Status of Slums in Delhi
Delhi has 675 slums housing an estimated 30 to 50 lakh residents. Of these, 376 are on central government land under Delhi Development Authority (DDA) control. The remaining 299 slums are on Delhi government land and managed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). The slow pace of rehabilitation has left many slum dwellers without adequate housing.
Slum Rehabilitation Policy Framework
The Delhi Slum & Jhuggi Jhopri Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, approved in 2016, prioritises in-situ rehabilitation. Eligible slums must have existed before 2006 with at least 50 households. Slum dwellers must prove residence before 2015. The policy aims to provide alternate accommodation within a 5 km radius of the original site.
Government-Constructed Housing Projects
Two major in-situ projects—Kalkaji and Swabhiman Apartments—have been completed with 4,699 flats. The Delhi government is also building over 52,000 flats on the city outskirts. However, only a fraction of these flats have been allotted to slum dwellers. Remote locations and poor conditions have contributed to low occupancy.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model Explained
Under the PPP model, private developers receive land from the government. They must construct housing for slum dwellers on part of the land. The rest is used for commercial or market-rate housing to recover costs. The model relies on high-value land in central areas to attract developers.
Challenges in PPP Implementation
Despite policy efforts since 2007, only one PPP project—Kathputli Colony—has been initiated and remains incomplete. Developers prefer investing in NCR cities like Gurgaon and Noida due to better commercial returns. Financial viability and initial investment risks deter private participation.
Recent Policy Amendments for Developer Incentives
In 2023, the policy was amended to increase Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 400 to 500 for rehabilitation and commercial components. Unused FAR can be transferred between components. The minimum land allocation for rehabilitation dropped from 60% to 40%. These changes aim to make projects more attractive to developers.
Operational and Social Barriers
Slum dwellers often resist relocation due to fear of eviction and livelihood disruption. The policy requires slum dwellers and buyers of commercial flats to live close, complicating sales. The task force suggests separating rehabilitation and commercial sites to ease development and financial flows.
Slum Rehabilitation in India – Broader Context
In-situ Slum Rehabilitation under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) has seen limited success nationwide. Less than 2% of PMAY-U houses come from this vertical. Legal disputes, land ownership issues, and political changes hamper progress. Several states have cancelled or stalled projects.
Future Prospects and Recommendations
The task force recommends paired site development and financial restructuring to attract private investment. It also marks the need for government funding to complement private efforts. Approval from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is awaited for new policy changes.
Questions for UPSC:
- Point out the challenges faced by Public Private Partnership models in urban housing development in India with suitable examples.
- Underline the role of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in urban planning and critically analyse its impact on real estate development and housing affordability.
- Critically analyse the social and economic implications of slum rehabilitation policies in Indian metropolitan cities and estimate their effectiveness.
- What are the causes of resistance among slum dwellers to relocation? How can government policies address these issues while ensuring urban development?
