‘Mumbai most populous in county, 41.3% live in slums’

Mumbai is the most populous city in India and currently, 41.3% of the total 20.7 million people are living in slums. (Express File Photo by Vasant Prabhu)

Mumbai is the most populous city in India and currently, 41.3% of the total 20.7 million people are living in slums. The government had introduced a scheme called the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme to solve the housing crisis. A study was conducted by the Yokohoma University to identify the level of satisfaction among those living in SRS projects and factors affecting their satisfaction.

A sample study was conducted in three different areas in Mumbai. Almost 179 SRS dwellers from 245 people that makes up 73% of the total were found to be satisfied with the scheme. In case of the desire to stay in future, 183 dwellers, that is 75%, were found to be interested in staying at SRS in future. “In spite of having some in-house criticism by slum researchers and NGOs, overwhelmingly SRS dwellers are satisfied living at SRS projects. The maximum have an intention to living here in future,” the study sates.

It adds that the most important factor for satisfaction in living at SRS apartments is satisfaction about society maintenance. This means SRS building has proper maintenance and decent relation with society makes dwellers more satisfied. “Finally, it could be said that the SRS apartments at Mumbai could provide livable rehabilitation if the society produces proper consideration in maintenance,” the study states.