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Delhi government plans upgrade of 18,000 slum flats with improved civic facilities

#Law & Policy#Residential#India#Delhi
Last Updated : 10th Feb, 2026
Synopsis

The Delhi government has moved forward with plans to refurbish nearly 18,000 flats located in jhuggi-jhoppri clusters to improve housing quality and basic civic amenities. The proposal includes structural repairs to ageing flats and upgrades to lanes, drainage, pavements, and public toilets, including separate facilities for women. National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) has been tasked with preparing the detailed project report. The initiative comes amid broader government efforts to address poor living conditions in informal settlements and improve access to essential urban infrastructure for slum residents.

The Delhi government is preparing to upgrade around 18,000 flats in jhuggi-jhoppri (JJ) clusters across the city as part of an effort to improve housing conditions and civic facilities for slum dwellers. These flats, built years ago under various rehabilitation programmes, have deteriorated over time due to poor maintenance, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to basic services.


Officials have acknowledged that many of these flats suffer from structural wear and tear, leaking roofs, damaged walls, and unsafe common areas. In several JJ clusters, residents have also raised concerns about narrow lanes, poor drainage, waterlogging during monsoons, and the lack of adequate sanitation facilities, particularly for women.

Under the proposed plan, repair and strengthening work will be carried out on existing flats rather than demolishing and rebuilding them. The scope of work includes widening and cementing internal lanes, constructing proper pavements, improving drainage networks, and installing new public toilets with separate sections for women. The objective is to improve safety, hygiene, and ease of movement within these densely populated settlements.

National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) has been assigned the task of preparing the detailed project report for the refurbishment. Once the planning stage is completed and approvals are granted, execution will be taken up in phases across identified clusters. Officials have indicated that the focus will remain on improving liveability without displacing residents.

Several JJ clusters in areas such as Wazirpur, Seelampur, and parts of West Delhi are expected to benefit from the upgrades, as these locations have long faced issues related to ageing housing stock and strained civic infrastructure. Many residents currently live in cramped conditions with limited access for emergency services due to narrow internal roads.

The refurbishment plan aligns with the government's broader push to improve living standards in informal settlements. In the recent past, development works worth INR 327 crore were launched in slum areas to improve basic infrastructure such as roads, drains, and public facilities. The government has also reviewed the condition of thousands of unused flats built for economically weaker sections, with plans to renovate and allocate them to eligible families.

These steps reflect a shift towards improving existing housing assets rather than relying solely on new construction, while addressing long-standing gaps in urban services for low-income communities.

Source PTI



FAQ

Q1. What is the Delhi government planning for jhuggi-jhoppri cluster flats?

The Delhi government is planning to refurbish nearly 18,000 flats located in jhuggi-jhoppri (JJ) clusters across the city. These flats were built under earlier rehabilitation schemes but have deteriorated over time due to poor maintenance and ageing infrastructure. The plan focuses on improving housing quality and upgrading basic civic amenities to make these settlements safer and more liveable for residents.

Q2. What kind of problems do residents of these flats currently face?

Many residents live in flats with leaking roofs, cracked walls, and unsafe common areas. In addition, JJ clusters often suffer from narrow internal lanes, poor drainage systems, frequent waterlogging during monsoons, and inadequate sanitation facilities. The lack of proper public toilets, especially separate facilities for women, has been a persistent concern raised by residents over the years.

Q3. What upgrades are proposed under the refurbishment plan?

Instead of demolishing the flats, the government plans to repair and strengthen the existing structures. The proposal includes widening and cementing internal lanes, constructing proper pavements, improving drainage networks, and building or upgrading public toilets with separate sections for women. These measures are aimed at improving hygiene, safety, and overall mobility within densely populated clusters.

Q4. Who will prepare and oversee the project planning?

National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) has been tasked with preparing the detailed project report for the refurbishment. Once the report is completed and approvals are secured, the work will be executed in phases. Officials have stated that the focus will be on upgrading facilities without displacing residents during the process.

Q5. Which areas are likely to benefit from this initiative?

Several JJ clusters across Delhi are expected to be covered, including areas such as Wazirpur, Seelampur, and parts of West Delhi. These locations have long struggled with ageing housing stock, cramped living conditions, and limited access for emergency services due to narrow internal roads and poor planning.

Q6. How does this plan fit into Delhi's broader slum redevelopment strategy?

The refurbishment initiative aligns with the government's wider efforts to improve living standards in informal settlements. In recent months, development works worth INR 327 crore have been launched in slum areas to upgrade roads, drains, and public facilities. The government has also reviewed unused EWS flats with plans for renovation and allocation, signalling a shift towards improving existing housing assets rather than relying only on new construction.

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