Urban Development Minister visits shanty settlements in Mumbai

INDIA: Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who was in India visited the shanty areas in Mumbai, Maharashtra State on an inspection tour of the living standards of the shanty dwellers and the development activities taking place in the area on Wednesday.

During the tour organised by International Shanty Dwellers Association President Jokin Arpathan, Minister Gunawardena observed that apart from the State government, three other organisations are carrying out a co-ordinated programme to uplift the living standards of shanty dwellers in India.

They are the International Shanty Dwellers Association, Mahila Milan Organisation and 'Spark' organisation.

A ministry release said Gunawardena also observed contractors are not engaged for putting up new housing schemes in these settlements and the work is undertaken by the shanty communities themselves including the internal administration exercise.

Gunawardena also observed that Sri Lanka could also draw an example from this exercise by getting shanty dwellers who are a hindrance to urban development to form their own organisations to develop their settlements and improve living standards.