The Delhi government notified a new slum rehabilitation policy to provide permanent houses to nearly 5 lakh families, covering around 20 lakh people.

The scheme will cover eligible settlements established before January 1, 2025, PTI reported.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the policy would give momentum to the ‘Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makan’ scheme, with priority to in-situ rehabilitation or relocation within a three-kilometre radius of existing settlements to ensure families remain close to their workplaces, schools and other essential facilities.

Under the Delhi Slum and Jhuggi Jhopri Relocation and Rehabilitation Policy, 2026, families will be provided one-bedroom, hall and kitchen (1-BHK) housing units. The residential complexes will have schools, anganwadi centres, healthcare facilities and playgrounds.

The policy provides that families living in slum settlements established before January 1, 2025, will not be removed without being provided alternative accommodation.

It also provides for separate housing units for independent families occupying different floors of the same structure.

Families with persons with disabilities will be given priority for ground-floor accommodation.

The government scheme provides for maintenance of common infrastructure, services and security arrangements for five years from the date of the first allotment.

House allotments will be made through a computerised draw of lots, while a centralised GIS-based digital platform will be developed to monitor projects, manage allotments and maintain beneficiary records.

A grievance redressal and appeal mechanism will be established to address objections raised by eligible families.

For in-situ redevelopment projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, developers will arrange temporary housing or rental accommodation for affected families or provide financial assistance towards rent during the redevelopment period. Gupta said the policy is to ensure that slum-dwelling families get not just housing but also dignity, security and access to better living facilities.