Exciting news for Kathputli Colony in Delhi – New homes are almost ready, bringing hope for those living there.
After years of missed deadlines and numerous setbacks, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has realised its in-situ slum redevelopment project for Kathputli Colony. It aims to provide 1BHK flats to the slum dwellers in a multi-storey apartment complex situated in Shadipur, near Karol Bagh. It's anticipated that these flats will be allocated by December, signalling a ray of hope for the colony's residents.
This project, initiated in 2008, was entrusted to Raheja Developers in August 2009. Unfortunately, the project has encountered a lot of problems and delays.
In response to these challenges, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, in his capacity at Raj Niwas, has monitored the project's progress over the past year. "There has been constant pressure from the LG on officials to complete the work and hand over the possession of the flats to eligible beneficiaries," one official noted. Recently, Saxena visited the project site to assess the work's speed.
Notably, in-situ rehabilitation of slum dwellers in Delhi holds special significance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This step to uplift the lives of those residing in the Kathputli Colony is symbolic of this commitment.
Kathputli Colony, inhabited by puppeteers, singers, magicians, and artisans who settled there in the 1950s, began its rehabilitation journey in 2014. Most residents were relocated to the Anand Parbat transit camp, while others found shelter in DDA flats in Narela.
The foundation stone for this project was laid on April 24, 2018, by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri. Initial expectations were that the first batch of slum dwellers would receive their new flats by March 2019. Yet, the project faced significant challenges, including clearing the land for developers, which was not completed until 2019.
The Kathputli Colony project is not the only one nearing completion. The Jailorwala Bagh housing complex, another in-situ slum redevelopment initiative, is also progressing. With 1,675 flats, it has already issued demand-cum-allotment letters to 1,078 households. Nearly 1,000 beneficiaries have deposited the required funds, and 900 have submitted the necessary documents for possession. The remaining 582 EWS flats will soon be allocated to eligible families, with the project expected to conclude by November 2023.