Implementation of Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme: A Study of Housing and Infrastructure Development in Slums of Midnapur Town, West Bengal

Every city must have a vision for the poor to provide them better housing, physical and social infrastructural facilities. So, the main thrusts of the present study are: to present an appraisal of the Integrated Housing and Slum Development programme, implemented in slums of Midnapur town and to examine the differentials in satisfaction level of slum dwellers belonging from high and low per thousand investment groups in terms of their accessibility to the affordable housing and basic services under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) scheme in Midnapur town. The present study is based on both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data has been collected by conducting household survey in the two selected slums. The analysis is duly supported by tables and diageams. In Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, Midnapur is an oldest municipality where large numbers of Dwelling Units (948) had been allotted under the IHSDP scheme in 2007. The IHSDP under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has a positive impact on accessibility of urban poor to housing and basic services in Midnapur town in regard of both fund utilization and completion of housing and infrastructural components and it has insignificant impact in satisfaction level of the slum dwellers due to the land crisis, unwillingness among the councilors and officials, mismanagement and lack of maintenance. Hence, some necessary steps should be taken for the flawless implementation of any slum development scheme like IHSDP, which will promote healthy and habitable environment for all people in an urban society.