Slums and urban development

 

 

Prasoon Majumdar is right in saying that UPA or for that matter any other government making announcements that urban India will be slum-free is either a poll gimmick to garner votes or to improve the sagging image of the party (TSI, March 22-28). Though the total area of a village is relatively small with a population of a few thousands, basic facilities are lacking in most of them even after so many years of Independence. Even the towns in India, barring a few that are in close proximity with major cities, are a picture of utter neglect. It is because they are not planned like metros where you have adequate water supply, good roads and sanitation in addition to the availability of best educational facilities, health care system and affordable housing. Some faraway and interior towns are developed only because of major industrial groups’ involvement in making the regions prosper. Big groups like Tata and Birla also need to look beyond the metros and tier-II and tier-III cities. They need to invest their money for the greater good and the welfare of people, helping in eradication of slums and even development of towns which are otherwise still neglected by successive governments.

R. Srinivasan

Secunderabad