Delhi Government Focuses on Dignified Life for Slum Residents
Delhi government prioritizes dignified life for slum residents, not displacement.
Photo by Karim Imanuel Fox
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated on 18 January 2026, that the government aims to improve living conditions in jhuggis (slum clusters) by providing permanent housing, toilets, bathing facilities, roads, drains, parks, and play areas. Speaking at an event in the R.K. Puram Assembly constituency, where she inaugurated development works worth approximately ₹100 crore, Ms.
Gupta emphasized that the government's goal is not to remove slums but to ensure that their residents lead a dignified life by providing modern facilities equally to the poor, the middle class, and the affluent. Under the new development works, roads will be constructed and repaired, community platforms renovated, community centres upgraded, and parks beautified. The CM also announced the release of funds for the remaining three corridors of Phase IV of the Delhi Metro, which will ensure time-efficient travel for commuters, reduce dependence on private vehicles, and contribute to pollution control.
Key Facts
₹100 crore: Development works inaugurated in R.K. Puram
Focus: Improving living conditions in jhuggis
Goal: Dignified life for slum residents, not displacement
Phase IV Delhi Metro: Funds released for remaining corridors
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS Paper III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Potential question types: Statement-based questions on urban development schemes, analytical questions on challenges in slum redevelopment.
Visual Insights
Delhi Government's Slum Development Initiatives
Map showing the location of R.K. Puram Assembly constituency in Delhi, where the government has initiated development works. Highlights the focus on improving living conditions in slums.
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More Information
Background
The issue of slums and urban poverty in India has deep historical roots, stemming from rapid urbanization, rural-urban migration, and socio-economic inequalities. Post-independence, various policies and schemes have been implemented to address this challenge, including the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act of 1956, which aimed to improve living conditions in slums and provide for their clearance and redevelopment. Over the decades, approaches have evolved from slum clearance to in-situ redevelopment and rehabilitation, recognizing the importance of community participation and minimizing displacement.
Landmark initiatives like the National Slum Development Programme (NSDP) and the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) have sought to provide basic amenities and affordable housing to slum dwellers. However, challenges persist in terms of land availability, funding constraints, and effective implementation.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on integrated slum redevelopment projects that combine housing, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY-U] launched in 2015, aims to provide affordable housing for all by 2022, with a specific focus on slum dwellers and economically weaker sections. The scheme promotes in-situ slum redevelopment through public-private partnerships and beneficiary-led construction.
Furthermore, there is an increasing focus on leveraging technology and innovative financing mechanisms to improve the efficiency and sustainability of slum redevelopment projects. The future outlook involves greater collaboration between government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations to address the complex challenges of urban poverty and ensure inclusive urban development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key facts about the Delhi government's focus on slum residents for UPSC Prelims?
For Prelims, remember that the Delhi government, as stated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on January 18, 2026, aims to improve living conditions in jhuggis by providing permanent housing and basic amenities. The focus is on dignified life, not displacement. Development works worth ₹100 crore were inaugurated in the R.K. Puram Assembly constituency.
2. Why is the Delhi government's focus on improving slum conditions in the news recently?
The Delhi government's initiative is in the news due to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's statement on January 18, 2026, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving the living conditions of slum residents by providing modern facilities and infrastructure. The inauguration of development works worth ₹100 crore in R.K. Puram also highlights this focus.
3. What is the Delhi government's stated goal regarding slums, and why is this significant?
The Delhi government's stated goal is to ensure that slum residents lead a dignified life by providing modern facilities equally to the poor, the middle class, and the affluent, rather than focusing on displacement. This is significant because it reflects a shift towards in-situ slum redevelopment and upgrading, aligning with approaches that prioritize the well-being and rights of slum dwellers.
4. What kind of development works are being undertaken in R.K. Puram, as per the news?
As per the news, the development works being undertaken in R.K. Puram include the construction and repair of roads, renovation of community platforms, upgrading of community centers, and beautification of parks. These works aim to improve the overall living conditions and infrastructure in the area.
5. In the context of slum development, how does the Delhi government's approach differ from previous approaches?
Based on the available information, the Delhi government's approach emphasizes providing dignified living conditions within existing slums rather than displacement. Historically, slum policies have sometimes focused on clearance and relocation. This new approach prioritizes in-situ development.
6. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Delhi government's approach to slum development?
A potential benefit is improved quality of life for slum residents without disrupting their social networks and livelihoods. A drawback could be challenges in implementing development projects within the constraints of existing slum areas, such as limited space and infrastructure.
7. What is the significance of the ₹100 crore development works inaugurated in R.K. Puram?
The ₹100 crore development works inaugurated in R.K. Puram demonstrate the Delhi government's financial commitment to improving living conditions in slum areas. It signals a concrete step towards implementing the government's stated goal of ensuring a dignified life for slum residents.
8. How might the Delhi government's focus on slum development impact common citizens?
Improved infrastructure and living conditions in slums can lead to better public health outcomes, reduced crime rates, and increased social cohesion, benefiting all residents of Delhi. Furthermore, integrating slums into the urban fabric can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society.
9. What is the historical background of urban poverty and slum development in India?
The issue of slums and urban poverty in India has deep historical roots, stemming from rapid urbanization, rural-urban migration, and socio-economic inequalities. Post-independence, various policies and schemes have been implemented to address this challenge, including the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act of 1956, which aimed to improve living conditions in slums and provide for their clearance.
10. What are some of the government initiatives related to slum development mentioned in the background context?
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY-U] launched in 2015, aims to provide affordable housing for all by 2022, with a specific focus on slum dwellers and economically weaker sections. The scheme promotes in-situ slum redevelopment.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1956: 1. It provides for the declaration of any area as a 'slum area' if it is a source of danger to the health, safety, or convenience of the public. 2. The Act empowers the state governments to acquire slum areas for clearance and redevelopment. 3. Compensation is mandatory for landowners whose land is acquired under this Act, regardless of their involvement in the creation of the slum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 3 is incorrect because compensation is not always mandatory, especially if the landowner is involved in the creation or perpetuation of the slum.
2. In the context of urban planning and development in India, what is the primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY-U]?
- A.To provide subsidized food grains to urban poor
- B.To ensure access to clean drinking water in urban areas
- C.To provide affordable housing to all by 2022, with a focus on slum dwellers and economically weaker sections
- D.To promote skill development and employment generation in urban areas
Show Answer
Answer: C
PMAY-U aims to provide affordable housing to all urban residents by 2022, with a specific focus on slum dwellers and economically weaker sections.
3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of 'in-situ' slum redevelopment?
- A.Redevelopment of slums at their existing location
- B.Minimizing displacement of existing residents
- C.Provision of housing and basic amenities to existing residents
- D.Relocation of slum dwellers to a completely new area outside the city limits
Show Answer
Answer: D
In-situ slum redevelopment focuses on upgrading and redeveloping slums at their existing location, minimizing displacement. Relocation to a new area is not a characteristic of this approach.
4. Assertion (A): The Delhi government's focus on providing basic amenities to slum residents is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reason (R): SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
The Delhi government's initiative directly contributes to achieving SDG 11, making the assertion and reason both true, with the reason correctly explaining the assertion.