The Chennai Corporation has commissioned a survey to assess the economic, social and health condition of those living in slums in the city. The data will help in better planning for the development of slums.
An official of the civic body said the survey, being carried out under the provisions of the Central government scheme Urban Statistics for Human Resources and Assessment (USHA), would be completed in three months.
The survey of the households in slums and the livelihood of the dwellers was planned to be conducted two years ago and the report was to be handed over to the Madras University last year. As the survey did not take off properly, the civic body had to mobilise resources in the past few weeks and commenced the work with new volunteers of the university. Volunteers would start visiting households next week in all the localities.
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A total of 83 attributes of households in the slums would be part of the data that would be compiled for use by the civic body in planning welfare measures. Specific and accurate information pertaining to livelihood, skill sets, educational status, financial condition and health condition would be recorded through the survey. Another component of the survey would cover the civic amenities available in slum localities, the official said.
The successful implementation of schemes funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission would depend on the analysis of the data, he added.
Apart from 374 notified slums, the survey would cover other slums in the city. The Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board is also undertaking a socio-economic survey and biometric identification of households in slums in all 10 zones of the Corporation as part of the Rajiv Awas Yojana.
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The data generated in the two surveys would be crucial in making a decision on in situ development or relocation of slums.
There are around 40,000 slum households that are categorised as ‘objectionable' as they are found encroaching water bodies. In situ development of such households remains a challenge. The Corporation would also start a biometric identification programme to address this issue.