NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has approved the allocation of 104 flats for economically weaker sections (EWS) in Narela for the residents of jhuggis on Central Public Works Department (CPWD) land on Kali Bari Marg.
“The CPWD land was encroached upon by the JJ cluster dwellers but allotted to RML Hospital for construction of a hospital for maternal and childcare by the land and development office. The hospital, through MoHUA, approached us for providing houses to them for their rehabilitation. In response, we agreed to offer EWS flats available at Pocket V Sector G-7, Narela, to the people living in the JJ Cluster,” an official said.
After the decision, the jhuggi dwellers were asked to obtain and submit eligibility forms to proceed with the allotment.
“Thereafter, DDA, along with RML Hospital, informed the allottees to collect their allotment letters. A camp was set up in RML Hospital for the purpose. While these developments are in progress, recently, we tabled the matter in the DDA’s meeting chaired by LG VK Saxena, wherein a formal nod was given to go ahead with the allocation process,” the official said.
The approval will help in the expeditious completion of the hospital. The move would also enable JJ dwellers move to a modern flats with all basic amenities, the official added.
DDA claimed that the allotted flats are in good condition and have two rooms, a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and a balcony. “All civic amenities are available in the vicinity. Besides, bus service is available from the allotted pocket in Narela. In fact, the houses in Narela have all modern and civic facilities with well-developed infrastructure.”
For the rehabilitation of JJ cluster dwellers in Delhi, DDA had introduced the “Jahan Jhuggi Wahin Makan” scheme earlier, an in-situ rehabilitation project. In Nov 2022, it had allocated 3,024 newly built EWS flats at Kalkaji, which were designed to rehabilitate slum dwellers in the area.
The authority is working on its second in-situ project at Jailorwala Bagh, where 1,675 flats are being constructed. DDA’s third in-situ development project, the Kathputli Colony redevelopment, is also under way, with plans for 2,800 flats in 14-storey towers for slum dwellers.