Delhi, India’s capital, is home to millions who live in diverse conditions, from high-rise apartments to densely packed slums known as jhuggis. On August 1, 2025, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made a landmark announcement that directly impacts lakhs of underprivileged families in the city. Speaking at a seminar on sustainable development titled “Growth Bhi, Green Bhi”, she assured that no jhuggis will be demolished before their residents are provided permanent housing.
This commitment highlights the government’s focus on inclusive urban growth, ensuring that Delhi’s development does not leave behind its most vulnerable citizens. Gupta further emphasized that housing is not just about infrastructure but about dignity, opportunity, and equality for every resident of the capital.
A Vision for Inclusive Development
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta laid out her vision of Delhi’s future, stating that the city cannot move forward without addressing the housing crisis. She declared:
“Har ek ko makaan denge, aur ek bhi jhuggi tootne nahi denge.”
(We will not let any jhuggis get demolished and everyone will get a permanent home.)
This approach underscores her government’s commitment to equity in development, where progress means improving the lives of all citizens, not just the privileged.
Gupta also highlighted that if necessary, her administration would amend existing housing and urban policies to guarantee permanent housing solutions for slum dwellers. This signals a proactive approach to governance, where the rules will adapt to serve the people’s needs.
Linking Growth with Sustainability
The seminar “Growth Bhi, Green Bhi” centered around balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. Gupta stressed that Delhi’s development model must not only create modern infrastructure but also ensure:
- Better schools and hospitals
- Improved roads, water, and sewer systems
- Adoption of solar energy and rainwater harvesting
- Rejuvenation of the Yamuna River
This holistic vision of progress reflects the government’s intent to make Delhi a sustainable, livable, and inclusive metropolis.
Acknowledging National Priorities
Gupta also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to fast-track Delhi’s growth, saying:
“PM ne bola hai – Delhi aage badhegi toh desh aage badhega.”
(If Delhi progresses, the nation progresses.)
This aligns the city’s development with national goals, highlighting Delhi’s role as a key driver of India’s overall growth trajectory.
Addressing Social and Labour Reforms
Beyond housing, the Chief Minister touched upon labour rights and women’s empowerment. She strongly criticized outdated labour rules such as the 1954 restriction preventing women from working night shifts.
Her government has now removed this restriction, giving women the freedom to choose whether they want to work at night, while also promising safe working conditions. This move is expected to open new employment opportunities for women across industries in Delhi.
A New Start for Delhi
Gupta acknowledged the challenges Delhi has faced over the past decades, saying:
“People of Delhi lost a lot in those 27 years. Now, we have to give Delhi a fresh start from zero.”
She emphasized that her ministers are working 16 to 18 hours daily to accelerate development and ensure Delhi catches up with other states and cities that have outpaced it.
This statement underlines her administration’s work ethic and urgency in transforming Delhi into a modern capital that balances growth with sustainability.
Housing As a Right, Not a Privilege
At the heart of the announcement is the recognition that housing is a basic human right. By assuring that no slum will be removed until permanent homes are provided, the Delhi government is working to eliminate forced evictions and provide stability to vulnerable families.
Permanent housing offers far more than shelter – it ensures:
- Security for families against displacement
- Access to schools, healthcare, and employment
- Dignity and improved quality of life
- Social equity, reducing the urban divide
This promise, if implemented effectively, could set a national benchmark for inclusive urban planning in India.
Delhi’s journey toward becoming a world-class city must be inclusive. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s assurance that no jhuggis will be demolished without permanent housing marks a significant shift toward compassionate governance. Combined with her government’s focus on sustainable growth, labour reforms, and women’s empowerment, the vision reflects a fresh start for Delhi’s future.
If these policies are executed with efficiency, Delhi could set a powerful example of development with dignity, where progress lifts every citizen equally.
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