Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Department of Urban Development and Housing  has rejected the collector's  proposal of shifting Vallabh Nagar slum to Shaurya Smarak site under ‘Jhuggi-Mukt Bhopal’ plan. UAD has now asked Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to identify land at places like Ban Ganga for relocating Vallabh Nagar slum situated in the Vallabh Bhavan vicinity. 

This has to be done on priority, the civic body has been told.  UAD principal secretary Sanjay Shukla held a meeting with BMC officials on Thursday to discuss the matter. As per BMC officials, in the city there are three slums —Vallabh Nagar, Om Nagar and Bhim Nagar. The shifting of the slums will be undertaken in a phase-wise manner as it cannot be done in one go. Around 10,000 people are living in these slums.

Previously, when Arjun Nagar slum was shifted, sheds were erected for dwellers when building was constructed at Tulsi Nagar. Similar exercise will be carried out and even rent will be given to the slum dwellers. Builders will construct flats for slum dwellers and they will be allotted a piece of land for their commercial use.

Urban redevelopment is being carried on in the state capital through slum rehabilitation with private participation under the PPP-mode Suraj Abhiyan. The project targets the urban poor, including slum dwellers, and aims to rehabilitate these communities by utilising land resources and engaging private developers through PPP-mode.