Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday that the Delhi government is all set to allot 52,000 flats to slum dwellers in the city. The Chief Minister visited her constituency Shalimar Bagh and reviewed projects related to water supply, roads, sanitation, urban development, drainage systems, electricity and civic amenities across various areas of the constituency. Additionally, several completed development projects were formally inaugurated. The primary objective of this inspection was to identify public grievances firsthand and ensure their prompt resolution. Officials from all relevant departments, including PWD, DJB, MCD, DDA, IFCD and Tata Power Limited, were present during the visit. On this occasion, the Chief Minister directed all departmental officials to ensure timely completion of works with strict adherence to quality standards.

After inspecting and inaugurating multiple development projects in the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, she highlighted that a special allocation of `700 crore has been made to DUSIB in this year’s Budget specifically for slum development. She further elaborated on a special government initiative for slum residents, aimed at providing clean, safe housing along with enhanced infrastructure. The scheme includes paved roads, proper drainage systems, children’s play parks, schools for girls and access to clean drinking water. The CM said “acche din” (good days) for slum dwellers have come after many years and the BJP government will provide proper streets, drains, toilets, bathrooms and other facilities in their settlements.

People living in slum clusters for decades have been living in poor conditions with lack of basic facilities like roads, drains and toilets, she said while inaugurating development projects like drains and streets in Ayurvedic slum camp in her Shalimar Bagh constituency. “Parties, including the Congress and AAP, did nothing in the slums and only cared for the votes of the people living there. They used to scare people saying their slums will be demolished if the BJP comes to power,” she said.

“Nobody will touch your slum and we will provide facilities there. People lived in the slums in a pathetic situation and I have allocated funds of `700 crore to provide facilities in slum clusters,” she said. The CM also asserted “zero tolerance” of her government towards drug trade in the city. She instructed police officers to take action against those indulging in drug trafficking in these areas of the city.

The CM also visited Lane No 1 of Shalimar Village, where she directed MCD officials to carry out necessary repairs. A joint inspection was conducted in DA Block involving officers from DDA, DJB, MCD, PWD and the electricity department, with instructions to work toward integrated solutions. The Chief Minister  also inspected the condition of the cremation ground road in Haiderpur, directing MCD officials to carry out essential improvements.

The flats were constructed for slum dwellers and others belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). However, allotment of the flats was stuck up due to tussle between the previous AAP government in Delhi and the BJP-led Centre.

The chief minister said that all the slum clusters in the city will be provided with paved streets, drainage, toilets and bathrooms. “There will also be parks near the slums, provided land is available for it,” she said.

The chief minister also instructed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to solve the problem of drinking water in the Ayurvedic slum camp and directed the DDA officials to remove garbage lying on an adjacent ground and develop it into a children’s park.

Highlighting the development projects, the Chief Minister shared that in Singalpur Chowk, it has beautified the central verge of Gyanshakti Road, improving both traffic management and aesthetics. The DJB has laid a new water pipeline at BC (East) DJB underground reservoir (UGR), which will significantly improve water supply and pressure in the area. Additionally, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has completed the construction of two new lanes (House Nos 17 to 32 and 49 to 64) in BC (East), improving both traffic flow and public safety. PWD has also installed speed breakers in the BC (East) and BB (East) blocks for the convenience of local residents. Furthermore, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) inaugurated the construction of three new lanes (Gali Nos 5, 9 and 11) in Ambedkar Nagar.