NEW DELHI: In a long-awaited announcement that will benefit thousands of slum-dwellers, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta proclaimed on Tuesday that the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has extended the cutoff date for the slum rehabilitation scheme from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2025. This means all eligible slum clusters established in Delhi up to this new cutoff will qualify for rehabilitation benefits.
“This historic decision aligns with the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, recently approved by Home Minister Amit Shah. It is expected to enhance Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to uplift the impoverished,” Gupta stated.
She emphasized that this initiative will facilitate the construction of modern housing complete with schools, healthcare facilities, anganwadi services, playgrounds, and other essential amenities, allowing countless families to live with dignity and security.
Delhi has 675 recognized jhuggi jhopdi (JJ) clusters, though estimates suggest the number may be around 750, including many established post-2015. These clusters house workers such as drivers, domestic helpers, vegetable vendors, and auto-rickshaw operators, who significantly contribute to the city’s economy. Ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, the BJP had committed to providing 3.5 lakh pucca houses to slum-dwellers.
The Delhi government has already started the tendering process for redeveloping five identified slum clusters through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This extensive slum rehabilitation program aims to deliver permanent, safe, and dignified housing for residents throughout the city, potentially benefiting 4-5 lakh families and about 20 lakh individuals residing in slum settlements in the capital.
“For many years, numerous families missed out on rehabilitation benefits due to the previous eligibility cutoff. With this revision, a significantly larger number of families can now access these benefits,” said the Chief Minister.
Eligible families will receive multi-storey flats with essential civic amenities. “Our government’s role extends beyond merely providing housing; we will ensure all necessary social and civic infrastructure is available in the new rehabilitation colonies,” Gupta assured.
She added that the new policy recognizes family expansion realities. “If family members are living separately on different floors within a slum structure, we are considering a provision to include them for rehabilitation, subject to the payment of additional charges,” Gupta stated.
