BMC to survey slums for effective use of funds allotted for basic amenities

Under the integrated slum development programme launched in the 2014-15 budget, surveys are being conducted in slum pockets across the city, which will help the civic body to identify disparity in infrastructure and civic services.

“The survey will help us understand the paucity of essential infrastructure and civic services in specific wards. Based on the findings, we will be able to spend the funds in a more efficient manner,” said Prachi Jambhekar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Planning & Urban Poverty Eradication Cell). “For example, sometimes a slum has very few toilets, and yet funds are spent on building toilets at other places where there isn’t much need. Such gaps can be filled after an extensive survey,” she added.

BMC officials said the data will then be put up on a software which will point out gaps through a benchmark analysis of essential services for a given population.

Each ward is also conducting surveys of population density to study the actual requirement of infrastructure in each slum. The survey will include listing out existing water supply, waste management, water connections, schools, population of men, women and children, and health posts, among other crucial parameters, BMC officials said.

“Funds will be provided to only those slums for which the exercise of surveys with probable phase-wise fund requirement for the work to be carried out during 2014-15 is done,” Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte said in his budget speech of 2014-15.

An allocation of Rs 50 crore has been made in the 2014-15 budget for the integrated slum development programme to be covered through this survey.

The BMC has also created a slum improvement cell to provide basic infrastructure and amenities in slums. With a view to upgrade and ensure hygienic conditions in slum colonies, the cell will assist administration to take strategic decisions.

sharvari.patwa@expressindia.com