The slum dwellers will be relocated to tenements within the city centre as opposed to the outskirts, so that it doesn't affect their lives.
In Tamil Nadu, slum dwellers have been forcefully evicted in the past after being coerced by the government to move into ‘affordable housing’ settlements that are essentially ghettos. With these settlements being far away from the city, it has further complicated their lives with no provision of security provided to them.
In an attempt to change that, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) has decided to build tenements within the city centre for the economically weaker sections.
These will be constructed in Moolakothalam near Seven Wells in Chennai.
Apart from this, around 40 localities have been identified for the resettlement and relocation of slum dwellers and the homeless in and around the city reports The Hindu.
Financial assistance will be provided for these houses that are being built as part of Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) and the Housing for All (Urban) Scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, reports the publication. The purpose of this scheme is to have such localities closer to the city centre, unlike the previous ones that were 50 km away.
“We have received approval for three locations so far from the Centre. Construction work will soon begin. While we have identified several other areas, they are under the jurisdiction of various departments with whom talks are underway,” a senior official from TNSCB told The Hindu.
Not only Moolakothalam, but slum dwellers will also be relocated to Manali New Town and Thailavaram in Maraimalai Nagar. At first, 648 tenements will be constructed in Moolakothalam, and 400 tenements will prop up later. The Board has got approval to build over 5,000 multi-storeyed tenements, which will help relocate around 1.48 lakh families.
Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
