Transforming Slums into Affordable Housing Zones: Emerging SRA Projects in Lucknow
Lucknow’s slum clusters are changing dramatically, thanks to Uttar Pradesh’s Mukhyamantri Nagariya Alp Viksit Malin Basti Vikas Yojana. With over 250 projects approved across 17 districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Prayagraj, the state is moving beyond traditional urban renewal to deliver real housing equity. This initiative mixes infrastructure improvements with human-focused design, focusing on roads, drainage, and 24/7 street lighting where they’re needed most.
What’s Happening on the Ground
The ₹20.88 crore budget isn’t just numbers on paper. In Lucknow’s densest areas, 166 projects (funded with ₹3.35 crore) are already underway:
- Proper drainage systems to stop waterlogging in the rainy season
- Self-sustaining community toilets managed by local women’s groups
- Roads built with recycled debris from demolished buildings
CM Yogi Adityanath’s direct oversight ensures Urban Local Bodies, not contractors, manage the execution. “No more missing funds or unfinished drains,” says a municipal engineer in Gomtinagar. Regular drone-based progress tracking keeps things accountable.
Understanding Eligibility
While Maharashtra’s SRA depends on residency proofs before 2000, UP’s model combines PMAY-U’s ISSR guidelines with local surveys:
- Slum dwellers with proof of occupancy before 2015 get priority
- 350 sq ft free housing units for Economically Weaker Sections
- Rent-to-own schemes for informal settlers without documentation
Importantly, the state avoids bureaucratic delays by freezing eligibility lists after digital surveys, a strategy borrowed from Mumbai’s slum rehab approach.
Why This Time Is Different
Unlike past failed schemes, Lucknow’s projects use LDA’s Transit-Oriented Development plan. New townships near metro lines (like Charbagh and Munshi Pull) ensure residents aren’t displaced but upgraded in place a game-changer for livelihood continuity. With PMAY-U’s 2025 deadline, the state’s move to directly fund ULBs cuts red tape by 60%.
Looking Forward
Private developers are watching closely. If UP adopts Maharashtra’s FSI bonus model offering extra construction rights for rehabilitating slums, the pace could triple. Meanwhile, LDA’s planned eco-townships with solar-powered amenities signal a shift from just shelter to dignified urban living. As one resident of Bakshi Ka Talab says: “We’re not waiting for promises anymore. We’re seeing pipes, lights, and futures being built.”