Temporary relief for 48K slum dwellers in Delhi; no eviction from ‘jhuggis’ for at least 4 weeks

The Supreme Court had on August 31 ordered that the slums along the railway tracks be removed within three months. The SC had stated that no political interference should be allowed in implementing the order.

New Delhi: In a temporary relief for around 48,000 slum dwellers in the national capital, the Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it was yet to take any decision on the removal of these jhuggis or slum dwellings along railway tracks in Delhi.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that no one will be evicted from the slum dwellings for now as the Central government will take a decision in this regard in consultation with the Railways, the Delhi government led by the Aam Aadmi Party and the Urban Development Ministry.

The apex court, which had asked for these slum dwellings to be removed from along railway tracks, took note of the Centre's assurance and said that no coercive action be taken against these slum dwellers for four weeks.

The court then adjourned the matter for four weeks.

'Difficult to keep tracks and surroundings clean'

The Supreme Court had on August 31 ordered that the slums along the railway tracks be removed within three months. The court had stated that no political interference should be allowed in implementing the order.

Following the court order, a war of words had broken out between the AAP and the BJP, with both slamming each other over the issue.

The BJP, which is in power at the Centre, had raised a demand that the affected slum dwellers be rehabilitated in vacant flats of the Delhi government before the Supreme Court order is complied with.

The Delhi government, on its part, had asked the Railways to refrain from demolishing the slums till it provides an alternative accommodation to the affected people.

The Northern Railways had earlier, in a report to the apex court, stated that mushrooming of slums along its railway tracks was creating hindrance in keeping the tracks and surroundings clean.

The issue was expected to be raised at the one-day session of the Delhi Assembly being held today.