New Delhi: In a long-awaited decision that is likely to benefit lakhs of slum-dwellers, chief minister Rekha Gupta Tuesday announced that Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has extended the cutoff date of the slum rehabilitation scheme from Jan 1, 2015 to Jan 1, 2025. In other words, residents of all eligible slum clusters established in Delhi up to Jan 1, 2025, will be entitled to rehabilitation benefits.“This historic decision is in line with the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, which has been given final approval by home minister Amit Shah. It will give new momentum to PM Modi’s resolve to ensure the welfare of the poor,” Gupta said.The move, she added, will pave the path for providing modern housing equipped with schools, health centres, anganwadi services, playgrounds and other essential facilities to lakhs of families so they can lead their lives with dignity and security.Delhi has 675 recognised jhuggi jhopdi (JJ) clusters, though officials estimate the numbers around 750, with many coming up after 2015. These clusters are home to workers such as drivers, domestic helps, vegetable vendors and auto-rickshaw operators, who form the backbone of the city’s economy. Ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, BJP had promised to provide 3.5 lakh pucca houses to slum-dwellers.Delhi govt has already initiated the tendering process for the redevelopment of five identified slum clusters on PPP model. The larger slum rehabilitation programme aims to provide permanent, safe and dignified housing to residents of JJ clusters across the city. Once fully implemented, the project is expected to benefit 4-5 lakh families, covering nearly 20 lakh people currently living in slum settlements across the capital.“For many years, a large number of families were unable to avail rehabilitation benefits because of the earlier eligibility cut-off date. With the revision, a much larger number of eligible families will now be able to benefit,” said CM.Eligible families will be provided multi-storey flats equipped with civic amenities. “Govt’s role will not be limited to providing housing alone; all necessary social and civic infrastructure required for a better quality of life will also be ensured in the new rehabilitation colonies,” said Gupta.The new policy takes into account the realities of family expansion, she added. “In cases where members of the same family are living in separate units on different floors within a slum structure, a provision is being considered to bring them within the ambit of rehabilitation as well, subject to payment of the prescribed additional charges,” said Gupta.