TOI : Slum Makeover : Sept 11, 2007

SLUM MAKEOVER
Fool-proof system for Dharavi
State Plans Satellite Imaging, Finger Printing To Avoid Bogus Allotments
Yogesh Naik I TNN

Mumbai: In a bid to prevent corrupt practices in the Dharavi mega makeover
project, officials of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) will be using
state-of-the-art techniques like satellite imaging and biometric surveys.
While satellite imaging will give exact measurements of the structures,
biometric surveys will store fingerprints of the slum dwellers so that
ineligible persons do not usurp the flats which will be given free under the
makeover project. DRP may finetune the biometric surveys to even image
retinas so that there is absolutely no scope for bogus allotments and
resales.

    A senior official of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project said, "The
biometric survey will cover heads of families in whose name the hutments or
shops stand. In most rehabilitation schemes, slum dwellers have sold the
flats allotted to them and relocated in new slums. We don't want this to
happen in Dharavi. Given Dharavi's prime location, there will be a huge
demand for flats in the erstwhile slum colony. Our surveys are also aimed at
preventing builders from creating bogus tenants in an attempt to widen their
profit margins.''

    The DRP's officer on special duty, T Chandrashekhar, said, "We have
invited bids from firms and NGOs to do a GIS-based Biometric Base Line
socio-economic survey which involves collecting information at the micro
level. On the basis of this survey, smart I-cards will be issued to eligible
allottees. This survey will be completed in three months from the award of
the contract.''

    In many other projects undertaken by builders under SRA, there have been
malpractices. Builders in tandem with SRA officials create bogus tenancies
and sell off the excess flats. The biometric system will curb this.

    Chandrashekhar said the socioeconomic survey will help assess their
needs during reconstruction. "We will also ask them questions about their
income, health conditions, number of children, source of income, education
and other related issues which will give us a fair picture,'' said
Chandrashekhar. Indications are that household and small industries will not
be disturbed.

    The Dharavi makeover project was first mooted on the eve of the 2004
assembly elections by the then chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde. It was
endorsed by chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh this year. Deshmukh has
hand-picked Chandrashekar for the project given his track record in
effecting the makeovers of Thane and Nagpur.

    DRP has received 26 bids from developers from the world over for the Rs
9,250-crore venture. Several top builders of Mumbai are also eyeing the
project.

    The development plan includes wider and better roads, steady electric
supply, ample water, playgrounds, schools, colleges, medical centres etc.
For proper implementation, Dharavi has been divided into 10 sectors and
these will be developed by different developers. The project is likely to be
completed in seven years.

    yogesh.naik@timesgroup.com
Publication:Times of India Mumbai; Date:Sep 11, 2007; Section:Times City;
Page Number:3

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