Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashish Khetan has said that an investigation by his party has revealed that the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has found that over 200 acres of land in Delhi is currently vacant.
The party now plans to use this non-utilised land pool to construct low-cost housing and flats meant to be sold to economically weaker sections and middle class residents of Delhi.
The party is going to mention the development of these plots - including areas like Kasturba Niketan, Sawda Ghewra and Balaswa – in its manifesto scheduled to be released in a day or two.
Successive Delhi governments have for long blamed lack of land resources and no control over the allotment agency, Delhi Development Authority, as an impediment to provision of affordable housing for all.
Mr. Khetan said this pool was not inclusive of the area which the DUSIB uses to construct temporary night shelters for the homeless.
“This area is currently vacant and has not been utilised by any government or land-owning authority in Delhi. If the people elect an AAP government, it will give priority to low-cost housing and flats will be sold to those who are in dire need ,” said Mr. Khetan, adding that this would be in addition to the slum redevelopment plan.
The AAP has already announced that five lakh houses will be constructed to resettle the slum residents .
While he could not provide the proposed number of houses on the DUSIB land projects, he said it would be enough to provide accommodation to a “large number of people”.
On the likely involvement of private players, Mr. Khetan said there would be no land sharing on the lines of Kathtputli Colony.
“Private players, if any, would be made to submit tender for constructions and get paid for it,” he said.
