07 December,2014 06:40 AM IST | | Laxman Singh
Consultants, who have been hired to micro-map areas in Govandi-Mankhurd, will begin work this week
Mumbai's first slum model, micro-map, Govandi-Mankhurd, 2015, consultants, Mumbai news, Mumbai
Mumbai is all set to get its first model slum, in Govandi-Mankhurd. Taking into consideration slum dwellers' woes, the project, which is slated to commence in January 2015, will focus on improving four key infrastructural facilities in the area such as toilets, drainage, roads, and open spaces. As per the project, Maharashtra Nagar in Mankhurd and Kamala Raman Nagar in Baiganwadi, Govandi (both of which have a strong Marathi and Muslim population) will be the first areas to get a facelift.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also appointed the Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN) as consultants to chart a detailed report on how the area can be rehabilitated, by micro-mapping the clusters, keeping the residents' infrastructural needs in mind. The consultants will commence work this week.
The BMC planned the project this year as part of the slum improvement programme 2014-2015, for which a budgetary provision of R50 crore was allocated.
So far, a total amount of R10 lakh has been allotted for the project, although final estimates are still being worked out.
"Our target is to start work in January. We aim to complete the project by the end of 2015," confirmed Assistant Municipal Commissioner, M/east, Kiran Dighawakar. "Due to a lack of vision and systematic approach, we don't see an improvement in slums. Micro mapping will identify the infrastructural needs of the units and detailed planning will be done," he said.
He added that Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) will be followed for the systematic improvement of these units and the all-round
development of the area.
