Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recently became India’s first slum-free city. This happened after the last remaining slum in the city, the Shahpur Colony, was finally razed by authorities. However, this milestone has sparked a mixture of celebration and controversy.
While the government claims this is a major achievement in urban development and cleanliness, questions are being raised about the fate of the thousands of people who lived there.
Chandigarh Free Of Slums?
On 30 September 2025, the last slum settlement in Chandigarh, Shahpur Colony, was demolished. The settlement was spread over 4 to 4.5 acres of land and valued at around Rs 250 crore, with around 300 houses and nearly 1,000 residents.
This essentially makes the Union Territory of Chandigarh the first Indian city to be free of all slums and marked the end of a 12-year-long campaign to remove unauthorised colonies and reclaim public land.
The city cleared out 18 slum colonies and reclaimed over 520 acres of land valued at approximately Rs 21,000 crore over the years.
Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, said, “Through a combination of planned rehabilitation, strategic demolitions, and strict enforcement, Chandigarh has made a significant step forward in eliminating slums.
This initiative not only ensures the recovery of valuable public land but also provides thousands of residents with dignified housing and improved living conditions.”
He added, “With this milestone, Chandigarh is setting an example of urban renewal and inclusive development, providing a model for other cities across India to emulate.”
Other large slum settlements that were cleared were the Kalyan Colony and Ambedkar Colony in 2014, which were spread over 89 acres and 65 acres, respectively.
Another 65 acres were recovered when Colony No. 4 was demolished in 2022. This year itself, Janta Colony in Sector 25, was razed down in May, affecting 10 acres of land and almost 10,000 residents.
Around 6 acres of land were recovered when the Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase I was demolished in April. The land valued at 250 crore housed almost 5,000 people.
Read More: This Is The Sad Reality Of A Slum In Delhi’s Rajouri Garden: We LivED It (Video)
Where Are The Residents Of These Slums?
However, among all the celebrations, the question of where the residents of these slums are has been raised constantly.
Soon after the news came out, several people online started to comment, inquiring about the status of the slum residents.
Various users asked, “Where were they relocated?” or “Where did the slum dwellers go?” While another wrote, “It’s not slum free, but the slum has been bulldozed without any rehabilitation.”
One user commented, “Poverty, unemployment, & low-productivity jobs drive slums. Govts must tackle these root causes—invest in jobs, education, & economic opportunity—rather than just clearing slums, which only masks the problem.”
One elderly resident, Baldev Kumar, was quoted by Deccan Herald saying, “I have been living in Chandigarh for the past 40 years and can say that it is a good thing if there are no slums. But those affected by the demolition of slums should be suitably rehabilitated and their livelihood protected.”
While the authorities boast of being a city free of slums, it’s essential to ask where the people who lived there went, whether they received proper compensation, adequate time to relocate, and were generally treated with respect. The Shahpur Colony slum had approximately 400 homes, housing almost 1,000 residents.
According to reports, the government had allotted flats in Industrial Area Phase-I, Dhanas, Mauli Jagran, Ram Darbar, and Sector 49 for families eligible under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section). However, those who are deemed ineligible or lack the required documents face a harsh reality.
As per a Deccan Herald report, a resident who lived in that colony for 20 years said, “Where will I go with four daughters and a son now. The rent is too high in areas neighbouring our slum. Where will I go? I have not been given any alternate accommodation.”
Another resident who had been given a home in the Industrial Area Phase 1 said that “it was not livable”. Several of the residents in this area are migrants who worked odd jobs as labourers, vegetable sellers, and more, and feel as if their already turbulent lives have been thrown for more upheaval.
One resident said, “Our livelihood has been disrupted and we have nowhere to go now. No politician has come to help us in this situation. At the time of elections, they made a beeline to seek votes, but no one is here now.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Firstpost
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Chandigarh, Chandigarh slums, Chandigarh city, Chandigarh government, Chandigarh slum free, Chandigarh slum residents, Chandigarh Shahpur Colony, Shahpur Colony slum, Chandigarh Shahpur Colony slum
Disclaimer: We do not hold any rights or copyright over any of the images used; these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly email us.
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