The urban population of India has grown rapidly over the past few decades. In 2001, 27.8 per cent of Indian citizens (286 million) lived in urban areas, which has increased to 31.2 per cent (377 million) in 2011. In addition, India is expected to represent 26 per cent of Asia’s proportion (54 per cent) of the world’s urban population by 2050
However, this large growth in urban population has posed a serious challenge with regard to the provision of civic amenities and shelter. A majority of them reside in slum- 93 million in 2011. The housing shortage, estimated at 24.71 million in 2007, is expected to grow to 26.53 by the end of the current plan period. In a bid to address the issue of slums and urban poverty, the Government of India has undertaken several measures through the five-year plans as well as other policy initiatives.
Apart from the Valmiki Ambedkar Avas Yojana (2001), Jawaharlal Nehru National....
