State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim on Friday said the Bengal government is all set to launch Banglar Bari, an ownership housing project for slum-dwellers.
The minister informed that the government will enable people living in the slums on government land to own 285 feet flat each in a G+3 holding. The families will have to pay only Rs 50,000 for the flats.
"We have a two-fold idea. We do not want the people to live in slums and unauthorised colonies. We also want to create extra green space," the minister said at the Valedictory Session of the CII-organised Conference on Future Cities.
"For me, a future city should enable better urban living by addressing the present problems like urban mobility, assured supply of quality utilities like water and electricity, good sanitation, solid waste management, accessible and affordable social infrastructure like healthcare and education and responsive governance," the minister said, adding that the proposal for Banglar Bari project would be put up at the next Cabinet meeting for approval.
The minister also urged industries to come forward and join hands with the state government to make new cities in the future. The government is ready to give away any possible support to the industry.
"We at the state government will be happy to welcome industries to partner with us in our endeavor of creating Future Cities. I assure you of our complete cooperation and support," the minister said, adding that the Municipality and Municipal Corporations are using compactors for waste management. Umesh Chowdhary, Chairman, CII Eastern Region and Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Titagarh Group also addressed the Valedictory Session.