Ahmedabad, 2 January 2014

Percentage of slums in second largest city of Gujarat has come down to 7% from 18% in just 7 years.

In census 2001, Surat’s population was 24.66 lakh. In 2006 when 7 villages and 8 municipalities were added to its limit, city’s population touched 28 lakh mark.

In year 2006 survey, 1.15 lakh slum units and 1.35 lakh poor families were identified in city. As per an estimate of average 5 persons per unit, there was around 18% population living in slums in Surat.

However in 2013, against the estimated total population of 50 lakh, slum population has come down to 70-75,000 which is 7% of total.

Under its ambitious mission of ‘Zero slum city’, Surat Municipal Corporation(SMC) has approved construction of 46,856 housing units in Kosad, Udhna, Limbayat, Jahangirabad etc areas to relocate slum people. So far 41,500 housing units are constructed. Of them 33,000 are allotted. Other 17,664 housing units are ready in Kosad.

SMC has prepared a priority list for types of slums. In first phase, slum units on river bank were removed. Later coastal channel areas were selected. Later the slum units that were creating obstruction to SMC’s development projects were removed.

As per a survey by SMC, the city has presently 70-75,000 slum units left involving 3.50 lakh to 3.75 lakh slum population.

From archive: Slum free Surat as target:How SMC demolished 1500+ slum units in a day

Surat marching ahead firmly to achieve the target of ‘Zero slum city’ status

Slum upgradation scheme of Surat Municipal Corporation

Surat eyes BMC model on slum redevpt (2009)

SMC razes 2800 slums to give Tapi a facelift (2010)

Surat closer to dream as slum rehabilitation, phase 2 begins(2011)

JNNURM clears Rs 27 cr for Surat slum projects

SMC begins exercise for construction of 6000 EWS houses(2012)