Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana on Friday said the government was contemplating developing slums, at least one each in all 110 municipalities, as models. “The idea is to transform slums into habitations of global standards, but since it is an ambitious task involving huge financial commitment and logistical issues, it will be taken up under PPP mode,” he said.
Addressing a conference of project directors and coordinators of Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) here on Friday, Mr. Narayana said slums in Singapore, which is one of the best cities in the world, resembled any upscale Indian locality owing to the socio-economic empowerment in the island nation and discipline of its people. “High rises can be seen in places considered slums in Singapore. We, too, can change our slums as best places to live in. By developing at least one slum in every town to such standards, we can eventually eliminate the typical slums that India is identified with,” Mr. Narayana said.
He added that the government will work in that direction in spite of fund constraints as the State could not aspire to become a “developed State” when a substantial chunk of its people lived on fringes in appalling conditions devoid of sustainable livelihood.
