The Delhi government is likely to initiate the process of launching rehabilitation projects in five JJ clusters starting the first week of August. These clusters are located in Mayur Vihar (East Delhi district), Seelampur (North East), Pitampura (Central North), Sultanpuri (North West), and Lajpat Nagar (South East).
PPP-Based Housing Development
Under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, multi-storey housing structures will be developed, and flats will be allocated to slum-dwellers. A portion of the land will be used for commercial purposes to generate funds for the project.
As per the newly approved Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2026, the government plans to issue tenders for at least five PPP-based rehabilitation projects every month, according to officials.
Policy Approval and Meeting
The policy was approved on Tuesday during a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting was attended by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister M L Khattar, Lieutenant Governor T S Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, and senior officials. The policy aims to provide dignified housing and modern civic amenities to slum-dwellers through planned rehabilitation and redevelopment.
Government's Priority
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the government's priority is to provide respectable housing to every citizen. She said, "In Phase I, DDA and DUSIB will initiate the tender process for five JJ clusters within the next 45 days. The Delhi government will also issue tenders for a minimum of five PPP-based rehabilitation projects every month. These new colonies will be equipped with basic facilities such as schools, health centres, playgrounds, and anganwadi centres." She added that the central and Delhi governments are working together to provide 'Jahan Jhuggi Wahi Makan' (houses where jhuggis are).
Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood remarked, "All slum-dwellers will get pucca houses. Gen-Zs will have a better future when the living conditions of their family are improved."
Phased Rehabilitation of More Clusters
An official said the government is preparing to finalise the process for phased rehabilitation of 50 more JJ clusters. According to DUSIB, Delhi has 675 recognised JJ clusters, though officials estimate the numbers around 750, with many emerging after 2015. These clusters are home to workers such as drivers, domestic helps, vegetable vendors, and auto-rickshaw operators, who form the backbone of the city's economy.
The growth of JJ clusters is often attributed to Delhi's chronic shortage of affordable housing near workplaces, forcing low-income workers to settle on vacant or encroached land. Ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, the BJP promised to provide 3.5 lakh pucca houses to slum-dwellers in partnership with the Centre under housing schemes similar to those implemented in Kalkaji and Ashok Vihar.
Eligibility Cut-off Date Extended
Under the new slum rehabilitation policy, the Delhi government extended the eligibility cut-off date for allotment of permanent houses by 10 years — from January 1, 2015 under the existing 2015 policy to January 1, 2025. The policy is expected to be notified soon.
