Shillong, Nov 20 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr
Mukul Sangma today said that migration from rural areas to
urban areas is a serious concern as it contributes towards
unregulated urban growth.
"This over burdens the urban area and needs urgent
attention," he said adding that the state government is geared
up to tackle the problems on a mission mode by developing the
rural areas aggressively and by creating sustained employment
opportunities in the rural areas.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of
the housing project under the Integrated Slum Development
Programme (ISDP) and the Basic Service for Urban Poor
component of JNNURM at Lower Mawprem here.
The ISDP project was sanctioned by the Centre for an
amount of Rs 21.30 crore for 5 notified slums in Shillong,
official sources said.
The scheme is being implemented by Hindustan Prefab
Limited (HPL).
The Housing Project at Lower Mawprem will consist of
48 dwelling units in an area of 9900 sq ft with necessary
infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 1.77 crore.
On completion of the project, beneficiaries identified
from the locality will be rehabilitated in the dwelling units.
Sangma said that the Basic Service for Urban Poor
(BSUP) under JNNURM has been launched as a flagship programme
of the Centre with the main objective of coping with the
massive problems that have emerged as a result of rapid urban
growth resulting in the growth of slums with deficiencies in
basic amenities like housing, water supply, solid waste
management and sanitation.