Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Even after 45 days, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not found any suitable site for relocation of slums for re-densification under ‘Slum free Bhopal’ scheme. The district administration as well as Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) still continue survey for the site to relocate slums under ‘Slum free Bhopal’ scheme.
In November end (2024), Department of Urban Development and Housing had rejected the collector's proposal of shifting Vallabh Nagar slum to Shaurya Smarak site under ‘Jhuggi-Mukt Bhopal’ plan.
UAD had asked BMC to identify land at places like Ban Ganga for relocating Vallabh Nagar slum situated in the vicinity of Vallabh Bhavan. The project targets urban poor, including slum dwellers and aims to rehabilitate these communities by utilising land resources and engaging private developers through PPP-mode.
Once the identification process concludes, the slum land shall be monetised. Several slums are situated near prime locations. Around 3 lakh houses have to be constructed in the next 5 years. Private developers will transform the slum by constructing new housing for slum dwellers and creating commercial spaces for project viability.
During the development phase, the private developer shall bear expenses related to housing provisions of the displaced, offering support for transition and rehabilitation where necessary.
BMC Mayor-in-Council (MiC) RK Baghel said, ‘There are around 10k slums in three locations—Bhim Nagar, Om Nagar and Vallabh Nagar. It is so easy to shift these slums to another place for re-densification on PPP mode. We have suggested that the administration should go one-by-one by shifting slums dwellers in other slums.’
Survey work still continues
Udit Garg, BMC superintending engineer said, ‘Survey work still continues. Main problem is shifting of slums for re-densification at the same site.’
‘Working for survey work for entire Bhopal’
Bhopal collector Kaushelendra Vikram Singh said, ‘We are working for survey work for entire Bhopal to relocate slums for re-densification at the same site on PPP mode. Soon, after survey the entire plan will be rolled out.’
