State to deploy guards at govt flats for urban poor
Alok KN Mishra
NEW DELHI: Over three months after a building collapsed in outer Delhi’s Bawana, allegedly due to theft of iron rods supporting the structure, the Delhi government has decided to deploy over 200 security guards, including 57 armed ones, at various empty clusters of flats developed for urban poor in different parts of the city to keep them safe from thieves.
On February 11, four people were killed and at least two women were injured after a fourstoreyed building in a vacant housing complex in Bawana collapsed. Senior Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (DSIIDC) officials said that the building in Bawana collapsed as its structure became weak due to the theft of iron rods from various floors, including load-bearing pillars. A subsequent inquiry revealed that many buildings have been similarly damaged by miscreants.
“Now we are going to deploy security personnel, including armed guards, at the sites to ensure there is no theft and the damages to the buildings are not done,” said a DSIIDC official.
Over 31,000 flats were built by the Delhi government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in the past few years. The flats are located in Bawana (1,184), Narela (1,412), Bhorgarh (1,272), Ghoga (3,680), Baprola (2,864), Bawana Sector-05 (704), Pooth Khurd area’s Phase 1 (3,840), Phase 2 (4,560), Phase 3 (6,300) and Tikri Kalan (5,740).
A majority of these flats are vacant. While the Delhi government initiated the allotment process to 9,000-plus slum residents, it was put on hold after the Centre’s Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme was announced in 2020.
According to tender documents floated by DSIIDC on May 11, 150 regular guards and 57 armed guards will be deployed at these locations all-day long. “The deployment of security personnel is likely to be made by the end of the month,” said the official.
According to the Delhi Economic Survey 2021-22 report, DSIIDC has sanctioned the construction of 34,260 flats in various parts of the city for the urban poor since 2007. Of this, close to 17,660 flats at Bawana, Ghogha-baprola, Baprola Phase 2, Bawana, and Pooth Khurd Phase 1 — were finished between 2010 and 2016, and have been vacant sincethen, said a senior DSIIDC official.