The project in Kalkaji Extension is one of three such undertaken by the DDA, the other two being at Jailorwala Bagh and Kathputli Colony.

While the Kathputli Colony project was the first to have been proposed — in 2009 to provide in situ rehabilitation to the colony of puppeteers, acrobats, storytellers and folk dancers (street performers) living near Delhi’s Shadipur Depot — the Jailorwala Bagh project, for nearly 7,000 people living in 1400 jhuggis in Ashok Vihar, was envisaged in 2012.

According to DDA officials both the Kathputli and Jailorwala Bagh projects are underway. While the Jailorwala is likely to be ready by December this year, the date of completion of the Kathputli colony cannot be estimated yet, they added.

The Kalkaji Extension project, for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers living in Kalkaji’s Bhoomiheen Camp, Navjeevan Camp and Jawahar Camp, was conceptualised in 2011 and the foundation stone was laid in 2013.

In the first phase, the DDA has constructed 3,024 flats at a vacant commercial plot for those living at the Bhoomiheen Camp. After the Bhoomiheen Camp site is vacated, the rehabilitation of slum dwellers in the Navjeevan and Jawahar camps will be taken up in the second phase on land vacated by the Bhoomiheen Camp residents.1

Manoj Garg, a BJP worker, told ThePrint that 1866 flats of the total 3.024, were allotted to the beneficiaries living in the Bhoomiheen Camp at Wednesday’s event.

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• 1. “These poor people have been made to live in deplorable conditions. When there is such an imbalance in one single city, who can we think of holistic development? In the Azadi ka Amrit Kaal, we have to fill this huge gap. That is why, the country is moving on the path of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas for everyone’s upliftment,” Modi said at the Vigyan Bhawan event Wednesday.