Eviction Drives Fail To Deter Squatters As New Slums Spring Up In Bhopal

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Even as the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and district administration intensify their anti-encroachment operations and roll out government housing schemes, at least five new slum settlements have emerged in the city.

Residents displaced from areas like Kolar, Bhadbhada, Kotra Sultanabad and Old Subhash Nagar have now moved to the outskirts, forming fresh illegal settlements in Arif Nagar, Neelbad, Sabri Nagri near Kaliyasot Dam, Kokta Bypass and Inayatpur near Kolar Road.

Authorities recently removed hundreds of illegal structures during eviction drives. However, persistent relocation of slum dwellers has exposed gaps in the rehabilitation process.

Officials say that unless government housing is properly monitored and strictly allocated, the vision of a slum-free Bhopal will remain elusive.

To tackle misuse of the “Housing for All” scheme, the BMC has begun a detailed verification of allottees. Early findings are alarming: 12 government-allotted flats have reportedly been sold illegally, 63 are being used by tenants, and two are under illegal occupation.

SDM for slum-free city

TT Nagar SDM Archna Rawat Sharma said the survey aims to ensure rightful use of government flats. “We don’t want to just shift the slums—we want to eliminate them,” she said.

10 new multi-apartment complexes soon

Mayor-in-Council member Chhaya Thakur told Free Press that BMC is building 10 new multi-apartment complexes near these emerging slums. “We plan to accommodate over 500 displaced families by year-end,” she said.

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