The industrial town of Panipat will soon be free of slums, claims the district administration.
Under Centre-funded pilot project Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), slum dwellers in medium-level towns (with population up to 2 lakh), including Panipat, will be provided affordable housing colonies with all basic civic amenities. Panipat is part of the National Capital Region (NCR).

In the first phase, the Haryana government will implement the scheme in two slums. For the purpose, the district administration has started an exercise to identify slums where living conditions can be improved. Deputy commissioner (DC) A Mona Sreenivas said on Thursday: “A detailed survey report of other parts of the town, proposed to be covered under the scheme, will be submitted to the Centre within six months.”

“We are working on two options. If it is possible to provide basic amenities at existing slums, we will do so. Otherwise we will resettle them within the town,” the DC said, adding that the Rs. 150-crore project was expected the Centre nod by January.

Known as the hub of handloom and allied businesses of India, Panipat is home to a vast population of migrant workers. In the absence of any planned residential plans, migrant workers have settled in several unauthorisied slums that have no regular water supply and sewerage connections, and lack other amenities, including parks and schools. A large number of slum dwellers work from houses for small-scale units engaged in the manufacturing of carpets, blankets and towels.

The administration claimed that the slums would be developed in a planned manner equipped with all facilities. Avocation of those working from their homes would not be affected, it added.

source: http://www.HindustanTimes.com / Home> Punjab> Chandigarh / by Vishal Joshi, Hindustan Times / Panipat, November 01st, 2012