Rs 46 cr to improve sanitation in 1,071 unauthorised colonies

Announcing this at a media conference here today, Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma said that the task of providing water and power connections in these colonies was being taken up on a priority basis.

A special drive would be launched by the Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) during August 17 to 30 to give electricity connections by setting-up camps in these colonies. About 2.5 lakh power connections would be provided in the unauthroised colonies over the next three months.

The same facilities, at the same rate, would also extended to village extensions beyond lal dora areas, he added, while hoping that the allotment of legal connections to illegal users of power would bring down the instances of power theft and reduce the transmission and distribution losses.

A directorate of unauthorised colonies has also been set up with A.K. Guha of the MCD as the director. A supervisory body with the suggestions of the MLAs and MPs will oversee the work. The government has drafted a plan to improve drainage in these colonies to avoid the break out of any diseases due to water stagnation or choked sewers.

Nigrani (watch) committees of the resident associations of these colonies are also being set up to ensure local participation in improving the conditions at these colonies.

Delhi has been also been granted permission to set up its own housing board to provide shelter to the weaker sections of the society. All families living in slum clusters would be rehabilitated within the next five years by shifting them to in newly constructed houses complete with facilities like regular water and power connections, the Chief Minister said.

Under the new housing policy, at least two to three lakh houses would be constructed every year both by the private and the public sector.