January 15, 2024

Context: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is carrying out a deliberate dismantling of slum settlements, which could have far-reaching consequences for a significant number of Delhi's residents.

The issue of slum demolition and urban redevelopment is multifaceted, involving a delicate balance between urban planning, housing rights, and political motivations. It tends to be a contentious subject because, while some perceive it as necessary for urban progress and modernization, others view it as a process that displaces impoverished communities, often without providing satisfactory alternatives for their relocation or livelihoods.

What is Slum?

The definition of “Slum” varies from country to country. In India, the central government through the office of the Registrar General of India’s National Sample Survey office have their own definition in the same way as each state has its own definition of slum.

Definition of Slum as per census 2011

There are regional differences in the names by which slums are known in India. In Delhi, slums are commonly called ‘Jhuggi-Jhompdi’, whereas in Mumbai they are called Jhopadapatti or Chawls’. Other known names are- ‘Ahatas’ in Kanpur, ‘Bustees’ in Kolkata, ‘Cheris’ in Chennai and ‘Keirs’ in Bangalore.

But physical characteristics in most of these slums are essentially the same. They are usually a cluster of hutments with dilapidated and infirm structure shaving common or no toilet facilities, suffering from lack of basic amenities, inadequate arrangements for drainage and for disposal of solid and wastages and garbage.

These in adequacies make the living conditions in slums extremely suboptimal, unhygienic and results in usually higher incidence of air and water borne diseases for the dwellers.

Maharashtra had a population of 1.18 crore living in slums in 2011, followed by Andhra Pradesh at nearly 1.02 crore. At 2.20 crore, these two states accounted for more than one-third of India’s 6.55 crore slum population (2011 Census).

Key Factors Responsible for growth of Slums

1. Rapid Urbanization: The migration of people from rural areas to cities in search of better job opportunities and living conditions leads to rapid urbanization.

This often results in the development of slums as cities struggle to accommodate the influx of people.

2. Lack of Affordable Housing & Poverty:  The deficit of affordable housing in urban areas leaves low-income groups with no choice but to reside in slums. Further High levels of poverty force people to seek affordable housing, which is often found in slum areas.

In India, 21.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line in 2011.

3. Weak Urban Planning: Weak governance and corruption can lead to inadequate implementation of housing policies and urban development plans, contributing to the growth of slums. The absence of effective slum redevelopment policies has led to the proliferation of slums in major cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

4. Migration: Internal migration due to factors like natural disasters or conflicts leads to the formation of slums. Further Environmental issues like land erosion, floods, and droughts in rural areas push people towards cities, often resulting in slum living due to the lack of alternatives. States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which have high rates of out-migration, often see their residents ending up in slums of metropolitan cities.

5. Socio-Political Factors: Discrimination and social inequalities based on caste, religion, or ethnicity can marginalize certain groups, limiting their access to adequate housing and forcing them into slums.

For Eg-Marginalized communities like the Dalits often face housing discrimination, leading to higher slum populations among these groups.

According to 2011 census-Around 40% of slum population of Punjab is SC, Tamil Nadu has 32%, Chandigarh has 30% and Haryana has 30% SC slum population.

6. Economic Disparities: The widening gap between the rich and the poor in urban areas results in a lack of affordable options for the lower-income groups, pushing them towards slum areas.India's Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, has been rising, indicating growing economic disparities.

7. Lack of Legal Recognition: The lack of legal recognition of slum dwellers' rights often leads to a neglect of these areas in urban planning and development.

Many slum dwellers do not have formal property rights, affecting around 65 million people in India according to some estimates.

8. Globalization: It has led to uneven urban development, where certain areas become highly developed while others are neglected, leading to slum formation.

The rapid growth of Global IT hubs in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru has not been matched with proportional housing and infrastructure development in all areas.

Issues faced by Slum Dwellers:

1. Overcrowding and Poor Living Conditions: Slums are characterized by high population density, resulting in cramped and inadequate living spaces. This leads to a lack of privacy, increased stress, and difficulty in maintaining hygiene. The houses are often constructed from makeshift materials, lacking durability and safety.

For eg- Dharavi is Asia’s largest slum. It is spread over 2.5 square kilometres and has a population density of 227,136/square kilometre.

2. Lack of Basic Amenities: Many slums have limited access to essential services like clean drinking water, sanitation, and reliable electricity. This leads to health risks due to contaminated water and poor hygiene. The scarcity of toilets forces residents to use open spaces or overcrowded public facilities, exacerbating health and dignity concerns.

3. Health Issues: The conditions in slums, including poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, and overcrowded living spaces, contribute to the spread of communicable diseases like tuberculosis and cholera. Limited access to healthcare exacerbates these issues.

4. Quality Education: Children in slums face challenges in accessing quality education. Schools in these areas are typically under-resourced, with high student-teacher ratios and inadequate infrastructure. This results in lower literacy rates and educational attainment, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

5. Unemployment and Underemployment: A significant portion of slum residents are employed in the informal sector, which offers unstable and low-paying jobs. This lack of job security and benefits such as healthcare and pensions contributes to the economic vulnerability of these populations.

6. Environmental Degradation: The lack of proper waste management systems in slums leads to environmental issues like pollution of nearby water bodies and land. This not only harms the environment but also poses health risks to the residents and the broader community.

7. Social Stigma and Discrimination: Slum dwellers often face social stigma, which impacts their ability to access services, find quality employment, and integrate into wider society. This discrimination can lead to social exclusion and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

8. Legal and Policy Challenges: Many slums are built on land without legal permission, making it difficult for the government to provide basic services or enforce regulations. This uncertain legal status also leaves residents vulnerable to evictions and displacement.

9. Impact on vulnerable section:

• Women in slums face specific challenges, including limited access to healthcare, especially reproductive health services, and higher vulnerability to violence. Cultural and societal norms often restrict their mobility and access to education and employment opportunities.

• Economic hardships often compel families to send their children to work, depriving them of education and exposing them to hazardous conditions. Child labor is prevalent in sectors like garment manufacturing, where children work long hours for minimal wages.

Govt Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) - It has In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) as one of its four components under which slum rehabilitation can be taken up using land as a resource.
• The Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) merged the National Slum Development Programme (NSDP) and Valmiki Ambedkar Malina Basti Awas Yojana (VAMBAY). It sought to offer adequate shelter and infrastructure to slum dwellers in urban areas.
• The Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) - The Scheme envisages the provision of interest subsidy to EWS and LIG segments to enable them to buy or construct houses. It will provide home loan with Central Government subsidy to EWS/LIG persons for acquisition of house as also for construction of house.

The problem of slums in developing nations is intricate and multi-dimensional, necessitating a comprehensive strategy to tackle the diverse difficulties encountered by residents of these areas. Initiatives aimed at bettering living standards, offering cost-effective housing, and boosting economic prospects are crucial in making significant progress in easing the struggles of slum inhabitants. Through focused and cooperative approaches, it's feasible to attain the objective of establishing sustainable and inclusive urban settings.