From slums to modern homes: Unfulfilled promises of Delhi’s Master Plan 2041
Slum Dwellers hoped that the Master Plan 2041, would finally lift them out of the hardships of slum life. Instead, they find themselves grappling with new challenges in high-rise building
“We thought life would be better in a flat, but it has been a nightmare. If I could go back to the slum, I would,” Usha Mistry, a 34-year-old resident of an in-situ rehabilitation tower in Govindpuri tells Media India Group.
Mistry is one of the thousands of former slum dwellers who were moved from their slums to these newly-constructed towers as part of a city-wide slum redevelopment programme under Master Plan 2041.
Mistry’s words echo the disillusionment of many who had hoped that the Master Plan would finally lift them out of the hardships of slum life. Instead, they find themselves grappling with new challenges in high-rise buildings that, on paper, were meant to represent a brighter future.
The Master Plan 2041, envisioned as a blueprint for a “slum-free” Delhi, aimed to replace the capital’s sprawling slums with modern housing. In-situ rehabilitation was promoted as a compassionate solution keeping residents in the same area, close to their workplaces and social networks, while upgrading their living conditions. But the reality for the few who have moved into these new towers since 2022 has been far from the promised utopia.
Out of the estimated 2 million people living in slums across Delhi, only 8,379 have received flats under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme. This number pales in comparison to the magnitude of the problem, leaving the majority still struggling with the day-to-day challenges of slum life. For those who did receive flats, the transition has brought its own set of woes.
Residents of these new towers say they have been facing challenges with basic amenities. Water shortages, erratic electricity supply, and poor sanitation facilities have left many regretting their decision to move.
The lifts haven’t been working for two months
“We were told we would have 24-hour water and electricity, but that was a joke,” Mistry adds.
The poor construction quality and maintenance of the newly-built towers is another major concern. Cracked walls, broken elevators and malfunctioning sewage systems are common complaints. These issues have not only made daily life difficult but have also raised questions about the safety and longevity of these buildings.
“We moved here thinking it would be safer for us, but with the conditions here, I am constantly worried. In slums, despite the hardships, there was a sense of safety, an unspoken bond among neighbours who looked out for one another. Here, in this so-called ‘better’ society, we have been stripped of even that small comfort. There is no security guard at the gate, no one to monitor who enters or leaves the premises. Unlike other societies where every visitor is registered and every movement accounted for, here we are left vulnerable, abandoned to fend for ourselves. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of dread as I think about my daughters. How are we to protect them in a world that seems increasingly indifferent to our plight? It feels as though the very structures meant to offer us safety have turned their backs on us,” she adds.
The lack of adequate security and essential services has compounded the struggle of residents, leaving them feeling abandoned and helpless.
“Our mothers and daughters are far from safe here. Strangers come and loiter around late into the night, drinking and causing trouble, making it impossible for our daughters to move freely. The government should have anticipated this risk, yet we are left to endure it. On top of that, the lifts haven’t been working for two months. I live on the 11th floor, and my mother, who struggles to walk, has no choice but to climb the stairs every day. Despite our repeated complaints, no one seems to care or take action. We are abandoned and exhausted, fighting for basic safety and dignity while feeling utterly ignored,” Madhu Kumar, 44-years-old, another resident, tells Media India Group.
Ongoing leakage from faulty pipes, which has led to dangerous electric currents seeping into the walls
In a community where safety and basic amenities are in a constant decline, residents are facing overwhelming challenges. Persistent issues like unsafe surroundings and malfunctioning infrastructure have become daily burdens. With the government and Delhi Development Authority, which is responsible for implementing the Master Plan, unresponsive to their complaints, people are left grappling with a deteriorating living situation.
The situation is becoming increasingly dire due to ongoing leakage from faulty pipes, which has led to dangerous electric currents seeping into the walls. This hazardous condition has created an unsafe environment, particularly for families with young children. Despite the government’s provision of this housing, the dangerous conditions have prompted residents to consider relocating for their safety. The constant threat of electric shocks has overshadowed any sense of security the building might have offered, leading to a growing sense of urgency among the affected families.
“We are on the verge of leaving this place because the conditions have become unbearable. The building’s leakage problem is so severe that there is electricity running through the water, walls sparking with current because of the damaged pipes. It is terrifying to think that our children are at risk every single day. I have young kids, and I can’t bear the thought of them being harmed by something as preventable as this. The government gave us this place, promising a better life, but instead, we have been given a death trap. The safety we were promised has turned into a constant source of fear. Our lives were far from perfect in the jhuggi (slum), but at least we were secure there, and our children were safe. We had a semblance of peace despite the hardship. Now, in this new place, we are surrounded by danger, and it feels like we have been abandoned. I can’t watch my children suffer or risk their lives for the sake of a broken promise. We need to leave, to find somewhere where they can be safe and where we can have the peace we once had. Our hope is slipping away, but I refuse to let my children pay the price,” Mishra Kumar, a 45-year-old taxi driver, tells Media India Group.
“Despite our constant complaints and desperate pleas, the government and DDA have ignored us completely. We are left stranded and unheard, with no one to turn to for help. It feels as though our cries for assistance have fallen on deaf ears, and we are left to suffer in silence. The promises of support and safety seem like distant memories now, and we are left grappling with the harsh reality of being abandoned in our time of need,” Kumar adds.
Residents have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the dire state of sanitation in the building. Despite numerous complaints to the authorities about the lack of proper cleaning, the situation remains unchanged. The assigned cleaners do not fulfill their duties, leaving the common areas neglected and filthy. This disregard for basic hygiene has led to widespread frustration among the residents, who are left to contend with a deteriorating environment that no longer feels safe or welcoming.
“Whenever we try to address the cleaning issues and ask for help, we are met with hostility. The cleaners shout at us and start fights, saying things like, ‘You belong to this dust; you’ve lived in it for years.’ They taunt us mercilessly, as if we are not entitled to a clean environment. We acknowledge that we are new to this world of big buildings, and we are doing our best to adapt. Yet, despite our efforts to fit in and improve our situation, people continue to look down on us as if we lack respect. It feels like we are constantly being judged and belittled, no matter how hard we try to find our place,” Urmila Devi, 54-years-old tells Media India Group.
“The biggest issue here is the lack of sanitation. The government assigned people to clean, but they rarely do their job. Back in the slum, despite the challenges, we managed to keep our space clean. Now, even though we clean our flats, the corridors and stairs of the building are always filthy. The dust is so thick that stepping out feels like a health hazard. It is disheartening to see such neglect, and I find myself longing to return to my jhuggi, we were more at home there, in a place where we had some control over our environment, rather than being overwhelmed by this unsanitary, uncaring system,” Devi adds.
The cleaning staff, consisting of only a few dedicated individuals, faces relentless challenges in maintaining the building’s hygiene
While residents frequently complain about the state of cleanliness, the staff responsible for cleaning have another version. They allege disrespectful behaviour by some residents who make their job even harder. According to the staff, their efforts are often undermined by those who throw trash and spit on the walls, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the constant mess.
“Many of our staff members have quit because of the appalling behaviour they have had to endure here. Residents spit on the walls and then expect us to clean up after them. Every wall in this building is stained with their spittle, and it feels like a constant battle to keep up with the damage. Despite our best efforts, it’s disheartening to see the extent of the disrespect we face while trying to maintain some level of cleanliness in this place,” Premlata Kumari, one of the cleaning staff, tells Media India Group.
According to cleaning staff, their efforts are often undermined by those who throw trash and spit on the walls, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the constant mess
The cleaning staff, consisting of only a few dedicated individuals, faces relentless challenges in maintaining the building’s hygiene. Their job is made nearly impossible by the residents’ disrespectful behaviour, which often undermines their efforts. Despite their commitment, the staff endures a constant barrage of hostility and neglect, adding to their daily struggles.
“We clean every single day, with just eight of us left handling the task. Our entire day revolves around keeping the place tidy, but it feels like no one understands our efforts. The residents don’t have the manners to respect our hard work. They throw trash and food from their windows without a second thought, sometimes even directly at me and our staff. Despite this disrespect and the constant challenges, we keep our heads down and continue doing our work, trying to maintain some semblance of order in this chaotic environment,” Kumari adds.
