Construction of transit camps for slum dwellers hit by land shortage

Construction of transit camps to house 2,800 families residing in Kathputli Colony near Shadipur Depot in West Delhi as part of a redevelopment project undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority in partnership with Raheja Developers has been hit by paucity of land at Baljeet Nagar in Anand Parbhat where the camps were coming up.

The work on the transit camps, which began in December last year, was expected to be completed this May. But a DDA official said that after constructing 1,600 dwelling units the agency’s plans to construct the remaining 1,200 units on an adjacent hillock were frustrated as the area was already encroached upon. Demolishing the encroachments was fraught with political complications.

“After talks with Rahejas we have mooted building double-storey dwelling units at the transit camp on the land still available with us to save space. It might take until the year-end to complete the transit camps,” said the DDA official on condition of anonymity.

Facilities proposed

The DDA proposes to dig six tube-wells at the transit camp site. It is also in talks with BSES to provide electricity connections at the camp. A sewerage facility will also be developed before the Kathputli Colony residents move in. Once the infrastructure is in place, the Authority is also considering moving a section of the 2,800 families from Kathputli Colony if the residents do not have objections.

While the dwelling units at the transit camp are crammed, measuring approximately 100 square feet, the developer has committed to the DDA to build 322 square feet (30 square metre) flats for slum dwellers which will come in six 15-storey towers. The flats will be given free of cost to the slum dwellers. On the remaining land, Rahejas will develop and sell high-end residential flats besides a commercial complex having approximately 2.8 lakh square feet saleable area.

Vacate camps after colony’s construction

The DDA is also drafting an agreement which it plans to get the Kathputli Colony residents to sign requiring them to vacate the transit camp once the construction at Kathputli Colony is complete.

Another official said the residents will have to live at Anand Parbhat at least for two years before the in-situ development at Kathputli Colony is completed.