It takes a lifetime of effort for ordinary people to build a house, sometimes a couple of generations. Getting a piece of land to build it on is, in itself, a challenge. This is because of the need to be close to one’s workplace, having schools and hospitals nearby. Of course, the price is crucial, making the choice very limited. As such, when one does meet all these criteria, it is difficult to miss out on the opportunity, especially if others are also building there. This is why slums grow so fast once the first set of constructions come up – and it takes time for them to become permanent structures from makeshift ones. The class of people living there truly struggle as families to make these places their homes.
And all the while, those tasked with ensuring that these are ‘legal’ are in hibernation, or take bribes to look the other way. In some cases, the takeover of land is encouraged, even initiated by politicians in return for votes, as has been the case in parts of Dehradun.
Considering the role the slums and illegal settlements play in holding up the people’s economy, their large scale demolition is a nothing less than a major disaster. The destruction of entire communities does not just lead to suffering but also crises in terms of increase in poverty levels and crime. This is why governments answerable to the people greatly hesitate to take serious action when the need arises for various reasons to have such ‘occupied lands’ vacated. Diktats from ‘commissions’ and courts that need to strictly adjudicate on the basis of laws and regulations become not just difficult to implement, but cause concern among those with a conscience.
In the case of Dehradun, particularly, it should have been a clear objective to plan and provide housing for low income groups. In fact, the projects of this category that were taken up by the MDDA proved quite successful and are prospering, contributing considerably to the economy. It is sad that this success was not built upon with further projects. It would not only have benefited the people but also reduced pressure on government and other land that was not legally available. And it is wrong to say that the people inhabiting these ‘illegal’ houses are outsiders – most are from the state, particularly from the hills. The displacement that is being presently planned in Dehradun will be nothing less than a tragedy – silent but devastating.
