New Delhi: Delhi govt is likely to start the process to launch rehabilitation projects in five JJ clusters in Mayur Vihar (East Delhi district), Seelampur (North East), Pitampura (Central North), Sultanpuri (North West) and Lajpat Nagar (South East) in the first week of Aug.Under the PPP project, multi-storey housing structures will be developed and the flats given to slum-dwellers. Parts of the land will be used for commercial purposes to fund the project.Under the newly-approved Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2026, govt plans to issue tenders for at least five PPP-based rehabilitation projects every month, officials said.The policy, approved Tuesday at a meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah, aims to provide dignified housing and modern civic amenities to slum-dwellers through planned rehabilitation and redevelopment. The meeting was attended by Union housing and urban affairs minister M L Khattar, LG T S Sandhu, CM Rekha Gupta, Delhi urban development minister Ashish Sood and senior officials.Gupta said govt’s priority is to provide respectable housing to every citizen. “In Phase I, DDA and DUSIB will initiate the tender process for five JJ clusters within the next 45 days. Delhi govt will also issue tenders for a minimum of five PPP-based rehabilitation projects every month. These new colonies will be equipped with basic facilities such as schools, health centres, playgrounds and anganwadi centres,” she said, adding central and Delhi govts are working together provide ‘Jahan Jhuggi Wahi Makan’ (houses where jhuggis are).“All slum-dwellers will get pucca houses. Gen-Zs will have a better future when the living conditions of their family are improved,” Sood said.An official said govt is preparing to finalise the process for phased rehabilitation of 50 more JJ clusters.According to DUSIB, Delhi has 675 recognised JJ clusters, though officials estimate the numbers around 750, with many coming up after 2015. These clusters are home to workers such as drivers, domestic helps, vegetable vendors and auto-rickshaw operators, who form the backbone of the city’s economy.The growth of JJ clusters is often attributed to Delhi’s chronic shortage of affordable housing near workplaces, forcing low-income workers to settle on vacant or encroached land. Ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, BJP promised to provide 3.5 lakh pucca houses to slum-dwellers in partnership with Centre under housing schemes similar to those implemented in Kalkaji and Ashok Vihar.Under the new slum rehabilitation policy, Delhi govt extended the eligibility cut-off date for allotment of permanent houses by 10 years — from Jan 1, 2015 under the existing 2015 policy to Jan 1, 2025. It is expected to be notified soon.
