‘Jahan jhuggi, wahan makan’: 3 more Delhi slum clusters to be redeveloped

“This will be the first in-situ rehabilitation project in Trans-Yamuna area comprising East and Northeast Delhi, and the fourth project overall in the Capital after the in-situ rehabilitation projects at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh and Kathputli Colony,” said L-G House officials.

The project, set to unfold at Dilshad Garden area comprising three JJ clusters including Kalandar Colony, Deepak Colony, and Dilshad Vihar Colony will see development over nearly seven hectares with multi-storeyed buildings having flats with modern amenities.

“The L-G has directed the DDA to present a detailed project report (DPR), along with finances involved, at the earliest and proceed further,” said the officials, adding that Saxena’s decision came in the wake of a visit to Shahdara’s Kalandar Colony on March 5, following which, he had posted on X about the “pathetic condition” in the colony where 30,000-35,000 people reside, while taking a dig at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

On this, the AAP-led government in Delhi said that the L-G is “trying an image makeover” amid “pressure” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It alleged that over 3 lakh poor residents of these clusters had been rendered homeless due to demolition drives over Saxean’s tenure of 1.5 years. “These people are forced to live under flyovers and on footpaths of Delhi.

Now, under the pressure of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the L-G is trying an image makeover. However, lakhs of people who have been rendered homeless will never forgive the L-G and the central government,” alleged the Delhi government.

Meanwhile, regarding the proposal related to the IGIA, officials said that the SEZ would create economic activities through exports, warehousing, trading as well as provisions for related services at the airport complex.

“The Ministry of Civil Aviation… has identified Delhi as a pilot air cargo hub, which requires Tier 1, 2 and 3-level infrastructure; while the DIAL already has built Tier 1 and 2 infrastructure by developing two cargo terminals and logistics centres at the airport, it will achieve Tier 3 once an SEZ/ FTZ comes up at the airport complex,” said officials, adding that Saxena’s in-principle consent along with DDA’s observations will be conveyed to the Ministry of Commerce.