Same slum problems for SMC

SURAT, Sept 22: Even as the flood-affected people wait for cash doles, the civic authorities are in a quandary over the rehabilitation of...

SURAT, Sept 22: Even as the flood-affected people wait for cash doles, the civic authorities are in a quandary over the rehabilitation of 5,000-odd slum-dwellers residing on the banks of the Tapi.

8220;It has become a perennial problem. The Surat Municipal Corporation has to work out a permanent solution,8221; says former mayor Ajit Desai.

Everytime the floods come, slum-dwellers from Bapunagar, J P Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Subhas Nagar, all on the river bank, have to be shifted to safer places. Once the waters recede, they have to be rehabilitated. As there is no alternate site, they go back to their homes.

Agrees SMC8217;s ruling party leader. Talking to Express Newsline, he said, 8220;We had a discussion on the issue. We will soon work out a lasting solution, and shift the slum-dwellers to some safer place.8221;

However, former mayor and Chairman of the Municipal Finance Board Fabirbhai Chauhan expressed apprehension over finding a permanent solution to the rehabilitation problem. According to Chauhan, rehabilitation of a family would cost civic coffers Rs 40,000 and there were more than 5000 families living in flood-prone slums areas.

A senior civic official claimed that even if the civic body wanted to shift them, they were not ready to move out. Alleging that 8220;slums lords8221; had constructed pucca houses and had rented them out, he claimed that those with pucca houses were unwilling to shift, while the 8220;real slum-dwellers8221; were ready to shift anywhere, if given a plot. 8220;The floods come every year. We have lost everything. We will be happy if we are shifted from here8221;, says Ram Das of Nehru Nagar.

However, Syed Mohammed and Mayuddin, both of Bapu Nagar, one of the worst affected jhuggi clusters, say they would shift provided the civic body constructs pucca houses for them at a new place. While the official maintains that even if the corporation provides houses, slum-dwellers will not shift, former mayor Desai suggests that the SMC at can least ensure that no slums come up on the river bed.

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But this is easier said than done. 8220;It8217;s almost impossible to stop slum-dwellers from settling on the river bed,8221; civic officials point out.