Monday, Sep 09, 2013
Kolkata: The slums of Kolkata are all set for a facelift.
According to Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officers, a major programme has been drawn up for all the slums.
There are around 3,334 slums under the KMC’s jurisdiction, according to a survey conducted by the civic body last month where over two million people reside as per the latest census.
Certain slums will be identified for development as model slums.
At the time of preparing the detailed project report, the consent and suggestions of slum residents will be taken into consideration. The initiative to prepare the model slums was taken as most slum dwellers live in deplorable conditions.
Many slums have no drinking water facilities, according to the survey report. Fire tenders cannot enter into many slum areas as roads are very narrow, the report stated.
“We are taking on a major redevelopment programme constituting all the slums in the city. To start with Hatgachia will be the first ‘model’ slum, where the major urban facilities like drainage, drinking water supply and lighting will be completely overhauled so that people can lead a decent life,” said Swapan Samaddar, member, mayor-in-council KMC.
Hatgachia is one of the largest slums in Kolkata, which spreads over a 40,000-square-metre area and houses 11,500 people.
As per the project report submitted to the government, the KMC intends to spend Rs37.5 million (Dh2.1 million) per slum to construct a new bituminous road, decorative curb channel, drainage, paving blocks on pavements and concrete pathways. Each slum will also get a two-storied community hall, 100 sanitary latrine units as well as repair and upgrade of primary school buildings. Other amenities include the construction of pedestrian railings along pavements, a health care centre, park along with the supply of lighting and power.
“It is important that the city provides healthy living conditions to the people in the slums,” added Samaddar.
“Over the years, though there has been some development, people still live in filthy conditions and it is important to ensure this much [change].”
Firhad Hakim, urban development and municipal affairs minister in the West Bengal government, said: “We are in talks with the National Slum Development project and a major fund will be soon released to the KMC under Urban Renewal Mission in this regard. The conditions of some of the slums are not good. We need to work on this at the earliest.”
By Archisman Dinda Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
