THE TRIALS OF RELOCATING SLUM-DWELLERS
The Wanathamulla and Dematagoda areas are clustered with slums in a dilapidated state however, some long-time residents prefer this way of life.
In November last year, the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development together with the Urban Development Authority (UDA) provided 500 houses at Mihindu Senpura for slum-dwellers under the Urban Relocation Project. Located closer to the Dematagoda railway station the Mihindu Senpura flats are a welcome sight from the rows and rows of dilapidated slums.
Yet, speaking to some of the recipients of these flats, the Daily Mirror found they were finding it difficult to adjust to their new way of life. Having lived in houses made of wood and galvanized iron sheets, and having had the freedom to extend their homes as required, some residents of Mihindu Senpura said living in the houses provided by the UDA was similar to living in a bird cage.
Resident Aruna Chamara said the house he was living in previously had 4 perches but the house given by the UDA was only 1.5 perches.
“Each house contains only 2 rooms, a bathroom, a hall and a kitchen. Some of us had to sell our furniture as we could not put them into these small houses. There are around 250 houses in two of these buildings. We don’t have enough space. In the houses we were living in prior to this, we could at least extend the place by adding wooden boards. Over here we do not have the freedom to do that,” he said.
He further said in addition to the monthly rent of Rs. 3,960, residents had to pay the water bill, electricity bill and an additional fee of Rs. 300 for the elevator.
“All this adds up to around Rs. 10,000. Most of us cannot afford that. Some of us have to obtain a loan to pay the monthly fee,” he said.
Another resident who wished to remain anonymous said the people who could not afford the maintenance costs were the first to move into these apartments, because they were living in dilapidated houses prior to moving here.
“They were living in small houses in terrible conditions so they are satisfied by the houses provided by the UDA,” he said.
Further, he said most of the people living in these flats did not have electricity, as they had not settled the electricity bills of the premises they were living in before.
The UDA’s Urban Regeneration Project Head E.A.C. Priyashantha said all residents at Mihindu Senpura had made their initial payment of RS. 50,000. However he said they had not collected the monthly fee of Rs. 3,960 as yet. Regarding the absence of electricity in certain houses Priyashantha said only a few houses did not have electricity and it was because the residents had not applied for it.
He added that although the residents said that they could not afford the monthly fee, on inspection they found that the houses provided were tiled and well refurbished with furniture included.
Commenting on the facilities provided Priyashantha said the residents had been provided with a community hall, play area for children with seating facilities, a basketball court and parking.
“Measures are being taken to construct a commercial unit, a gym and a playground,” he said.
Priyashantha further said that most of the slum-dwellers were living in cramped-up mosquito infested houses that flooded when it rained.
“Children did not have a safe and clean area to play and due to the unhygienic conditions they were living in, there were many illnesses,” he said.
Priyashantha further said at present the UDA was in charge of the maintenance at Mihindu Senpura but measures were being taken by the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) to set up a committee consisting of residents from these flats, a few police officers and officials from the UDA and CMA for maintenance purposes.
Regarding the ongoing relocation project he said 73 families who had been living in Weligodawatte for a long time would be relocated to the flats next to Sahaspura in Wanathamulla that were nearing completion.