NEW DELHI: On Thursday, Delhi’s Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood announced that the city government is accelerating the upgrade and allocation of over 7,400 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats in Bhalswa. He emphasized that the homes will be expanded to enhance living conditions for beneficiaries.
During an inspection of the ongoing renovation at the housing project, Sood indicated that current flats are being redesigned with an increased carpet area of about four to five square meters, aiming to meet the standards set by the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
This initiative encompasses over 7,400 EWS homes, with the allocation process slated to begin in phases following the completion of upgrade work. A joint evaluation of the project with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will precede the allocation.
Sood stated that the government would seek final approvals from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials before distributing the flats to beneficiaries.
“According to our records, the previous AAP government focused solely on publicity,” Sood remarked. He added that the EWS housing scheme initiated in 2021 concluded in 2022 without any notable progress in flat allocations. The earlier budget for the project was Rs 22 crore, while the current allocation is Rs 400 crore.
The minister emphasized that the present government is committed to completing the project and delivering upgraded flats to qualifying beneficiaries progressively.
Sood noted that the decision was made to retain existing structures and enhance them rather than reconstruct, ensuring more efficient use of public funds. The renovations will broaden usable space within the flats and conduct necessary repairs to ensure suitability for occupation.
During his first visit to the Bhalswa project in February, Sood directed officials to increase the carpet area of flats to ensure “dignified housing” for economically disadvantaged families.
