Slum-free Bangalore in 4 years

Bangalore will be slumfree in four years, according to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. At an event to mark building of 1,500 houses for residents of Ragigudda slum on Saturday, Yeddyurappa said 245 places have been identified as slum areas in Bangalore. The project is under JNNURM. “At least 10 lakh people live in these places. Under the BSUP programme of JNNURM, 18,180 houses will be built at Rs 522 crore in 58 slum areas. Construction work on 7,106 houses are under way and will be completed by December 2010,” Yeddyurappa added. He asked officials not to compromise on quality. “Emphasis should be given on cleanliness, potable water and other basic amenities,” he said. Slum Clearance Board chairman J Narasimha Swamy said 1,500 houses for 1,456 families at Ragigudda slum are being built at Rs 32.55 crore. He asked Yeddyurapa to earmark Rs 300 crore for slum development in the next budget.