Slum revamp project moves at asSnails pace

BHUBANESWAR: As more and more people are shifting to urban areas in search of  livelihood, Bhubaneswar is witnessing an increase in the number of slums over the years.The increase has been from 100 slums in 1994 to 377 in 2008, out of which only around 99 are recognised by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Presently around three lakh people are living in these slums. The rest are unauthorised and face eviction anytime.A pilot project - Bhubaneswar Slum Upgrading Pilot Project (BSUPP)- was launched in 2009 targetting slums at Nayapali  Shabarsahi, Bharatpur Vikash Nagar and Dumuduma.As of now only the housing scheme of the project is underway and each housing unit costs Rs 1.70 lakh, informed Anil Kumar Pattnaik, Slum Improvement Officer (SIO).Under the project, there are provisions for construction of community halls, water pipelines, toilets and roads. But most of the work is yet to be started."The tender has been passed and work will start very soon,” said Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena. More and more people now want to settle in the city for a better livelihood and job prospects, he said. On how long it will take for the completion of the project, the SIO said it depends on how soon the government sanctions the proposals and the funds.Salia Sahi, though happens to be one of the biggest slums, is yet to receive proper facilities for drinking water or sanitation.There are other schemes like the Rajiv Awas Yojana that was launched this year. It is yet to be implemented in the State. There are plans for revamping Patrapada and two other slums.