Slum-free Rajkot project: RMC demolishes 200 huts in Raiyadhar area

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Leaders of Saurashtra Zupadpatti Mahaparishad (SZM), a group opposing rehabilitation of the slum pockets on PPP mode were detained as well as a preventive measure. Karna Maldhari, founder president of SZM and Raju Junja, secretary of SZM were among those who were detained. Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra said, the operation got over at 5 pm with all huts, kuccha houses and shops having been flattened. “We put on record the cooperation of slum dwellers of Raiyadhar. Thanks to their cooperation, the operation remained smooth and work to build pukka houses for them could begin,” said Nehra.

Raiyadhar is located on the northwestern outskirts of the city. Its nearby areas are developing as posh residential zones with high property prices.

The RMC plans to provide pukka houses free of cost to around 250 families living in Raiyadhar on PPP basis as part of making the city slum-free. The civic body has awarded the in situ redevelopment project to Vadodara-based Cube Construction. The private firm will build pukka houses for slum dwellers on some part of the land cleared after demolition. The rest of the plot will go to the developer or the private developer will get transferable development rights for its other projects in the city while also paying premium to the RMC.

“Majority of families have been issued cheques for monthly rent of Rs 3,500 each for the interim period by the private developer. Those who have not got cheques will be accommodated in flats of RMC and we shall charge the developer Rs 4,000 monthly rent,” the municipal commissioner said.

The demolition also marks the beginning of the time period of 14 months Cube Construction has been given to build one-bedroom-hall-kitchen houses for the affected families. Till it gives new houses to these residents, Cube Construction will pay monthly rent of Rs 3,500 to each family. This is the first slum pocket in the city for which work has started for redeveloping it on PPP mode. The RMC has already finalised tenders for a few other slum pockets in the city. Civic officials said Cube Construction will bear the cost of demolition.