SRINAGAR: In Jammu and Kashmir, as of the latest census data, there are 86 towns and 40 slum clusters across the Union Territory, housing 1,03,633 households and approximately 6,62,062 people in slum conditions.
Across India, the overall scenario for slum dwellers remains a pressing concern. According to the Census 2011, 6.54 crore people were living in slums, spread across 33,510 slums in various states and union territories. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) also reported that the country is home to thousands of slum clusters, and urban areas, especially larger cities, bear the brunt of the population pressures.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been working to alleviate the living conditions of slum dwellers, particularly through PMAY-U, which has sanctioned over 29 lakh houses for slum dwellers across India. The ministry has also launched the PMAY-U 2.0 under the ‘Housing for All’ Mission, further extending the coverage to one crore additional households. The initiatives are designed to provide affordable housing options and are expected to significantly impact slum rehabilitation in the coming years.
In the past five years, the government has worked closely with State and UT Governments to rehabilitate slum dwellers under the PMAY-U scheme. While housing schemes are primarily managed at the state level, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs plays a pivotal role in supplementing the efforts with Central Assistance. Additionally, the Smart Cities Mission has included the rehabilitation of slum households as part of urban rejuvenation projects. As of December 2024, a total of 114.23 lakh houses have been grounded, with over 88.32 lakh completed and delivered to beneficiaries, including slum dwellers.
