Delhi needs better slum rehabilitation policy

‘Delhi’s soon-to-be notified 2026 slum rehabilitation policy should begin with one principle: the unit of rehabilitation is not a flat, but a household’s urban life — work, school, care, neighbours and commute’ | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Delhi Assembly recently passed a law shifting the cut-off for recognising jhuggi-jhopri (unplanned slum settlements)clusters from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2025. The Centre says the new rehabilitation push could benefit roughly four lakh families; a necessary correction to an arbitrary exclusion. However, much more is needed to guarantee a smooth relocation process. Delhi’s soon-to-be notified 2026 slum rehabilitation policy should begin with one principle: the unit of rehabilitation is not a flat, but a household’s urban life — work, school, care, neighbours and commute. Indian courts have said as much for decades. In Olga Tellis, the Supreme Court connected shelter location to livelihood; in Sudama Singh and Ajay Maken, the Delhi High Court required meaningful engagement, surveys and proper rehabilitation rather than treating residents simply as encroachers. Delhi therefore needs an enforceable “in-situ first, relocation last” rule. Where relocation is genuinely unavoidable, no demolition should occur until a serviced home is ready within a reasonable livelihood catchment, with public transport, schools and health facilities functioning from day one. Published - November 04, 2026 12:51 am IST