Mumbai: The representatives told BMC to conduct an in-depth survey and publish a map of all slum-occupied land with the size of areas and the population there.
More than a dozen social welfare groups and slum representatives demanded a more inclusive process for slums in the city’s Development Plan (DP) in a public meeting with BMC Saturday.
The representatives told BMC to conduct an in-depth survey and publish a map of all slum-occupied land with the size of areas and the population there. Arguing that more than 60 per cent of the city’s population lives in slums, the representatives demanded that the DP (2014-34) should include this population in its planning schemes.
Citing examples of big cluster-like slum rehabilitation schemes such as Dharavi redevelopment and Golibar redevelopment, the groups demanded that the existing slum rehabilitation schemes should be modified. "Slum redevelopment cannot be the only option and the government should look at alternatives to house this population," said Aravind Unni of Yuva. "We also demand that 50 per cent reservation for lower income groups (LIGs) and underprivileged be made in all affordable housing schemes," he said.
The NGOs, which participated in the meet include Nivara Hakk Suraksha Samiti, Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA), Slum Rehabilitation Society and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).