PM Modi delivers 3,024 EWS flats in Delhi: Will the 'game-changer' move help BJP better AAP in MCD polls?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday handed over the keys of 3,024 flats constructed in Delhi’s Kalkaji for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and called it a "new beginning to life" for slum dwellers. He said that the Centre's goal is to make Delhi a "grand city" with the facilities as the nation's capital should be. 

"Today is a big day for thousands of slum dwellers; a new beginning to life. As I handed over the keys to eligible beneficiaries, I could see their happy and joyous faces. Over 3000 houses have been constructed in the first phase of the Kalkaji extension," the prime minister said.

"Other families residing here will also get a chance to housewarming very soon. I have faith that these efforts by Central Govt will play a key role in making Delhi an ideal city... our govt has as much focus on poverty-stricken families residing in urban cities too," he added. 

BJP leaders believe that the move will benefit the party in the upcoming municipal elections. News18 quoted sources saying that for the past one year, the prime minister had been seeking updates on the construction of flats in every Cabinet meeting. They said the work in Kathputli Colony, where EWS flats will replace ‘jhuggis’, is also on the fast track. 

BJP leaders are seeing this as a game-changer move as the handing over of flats is coming just ahead of the civic body polls. On whether this would hurt Aam Aadmi Party’s prospects in the Delhi municipal polls, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said, “Definitely”. 

News18 further quoted sources saying that the move to give ‘pucca’ houses to all will help the party as voters living in ‘jhuggis’ have been the traditional vote bank of AAP. 

The beneficiaries of EWS flats too are elated after knowing they would get the keys to their new house today. 

"I lived here for 40 years. It’s a joyous day as we have been told that we will get the keys to flats today," said one of the beneficiaries of the ‘In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation’ project, Gopal Mandal. 

Another beneficiary expressed her gratitude stating that her children will now get to live in a "big flat". 

"I will get to move out of this congestion. I was born here and now my children have also grown up, they will get to live in a big flat," said another beneficiary of the 'In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation' project wherein Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 3024 newly constructed EWS flats on Wednesday evening.

These EWS flats are equipped with all civic amenities and their finishing has been done with vitrified floor tiles, ceramics tiles, Udaipur green marble counter in the kitchen and more. The flats are also accompanied with various public amenities such as community parks, electric substations, sewage treatment plants, dual water pipelines, lifts, and underground reservoirs for providing a hygienic water supply.

The objective of the rehabilitation project is to provide a better and healthy living environment to the residents of the Jhuggi Jhopri clusters, with proper amenities and facilities," PMO stated. 

The Delhi Development Authority has undertaken three such projects at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh, and Kathputli Colony. 

Under the Kalkaji Extension Project, in-situ Slum Rehabilitation of three slum clusters namely Bhoomiheen Camp, Navjeevan camp, and Jawahar camp located at Kalkaji is being taken up in a phased manner. 

Under Phase I, 3024 EWS flats at the nearby vacant commercial center site have been constructed. The Jhuggi Jhopri site at Bhoomiheen Camp will be vacated by rehabilitating eligible households of Bhoomiheen camp to the newly constructed EWS flats. Post vacation of Bhoomiheen Campsite, in Phase II, this vacated site will be utilized for rehabilitation of Navjeevan Camp and Jawahar Camp.

"Phase I of the Project has been completed and 3024 flats are ready to move in. These flats have been constructed at a cost of about Rs. 345 crores and are equipped with all civic amenities including finishing having been done with vitrified floor tiles, ceramics tiles, Udaipur green marble counter in kitchen, etc. Public amenities have also been provided. The allotment of flats will provide the people ownership title as well as a sense of security," the statement added.