All posts tagged: Slum

Row over razing of shanties in Surat slum: Demolition done by SMC as per rules, claims engineer | Ahmedabad News

Row over razing of shanties in Surat slum: Demolition done by SMC as per rules, claims engineer | Ahmedabad News

Published by Parlour News

4 min readJun 11, 2026 08:49 PM IST NEARLY 10 days after an alleged ‘unauthorised’ demolition drive razed over 100 shanties in Surat’s Nasirnagar area, a senior engineer with the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) claimed on Thursday that the “demolition was done by the SMC as per rules and regulations.” This comes two days after SMC Commissioner M Nagarajan told The Indian Express that the demolition was not carried out by SMC officials. Nagarajan was unreachable for comment on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Ashish Naik, an additional city engineer with the SMC, uploaded a video on multiple social media platforms in which he referred to the controversy over the demolition of the slums in Surat’s Ved Road area. “The demolition was not a ‘ghost’ operation; it was a legal demolition carried out by SMC staff. Our teams reached the spot for demarcation and to clear illegal encroachment on roads. We also sought support from the Surat police department to maintain the law and order situation,” Naik is purportedly heard saying in the video. Naik …

Born in a slum, Desi Bling’s Rizwan Sajan now lives in 40,000 sq ft house in Dubai | Web-series News

Born in a slum, Desi Bling’s Rizwan Sajan now lives in 40,000 sq ft house in Dubai | Web-series News

Published by Parlour News

Rizwan Sajan, the founder of Danube Group, came into the spotlight after his family’s appearance on the Netflix show Dubai Bling. With an estimated reported net worth of nearly Rs 20,000 crore, Rizwan’s lavish 40,000-square-foot Dubai mansion — complete with a private pool, towering fountains, and girls dressed as mermaids — offered a glimpse into a lifestyle few get to witness. But behind the extraordinary wealth and luxury, lies a surprisingly humble start. The drive to build this massive empire began with something as simple as wanting to afford a samosa in his school canteen. Born into a lower-middle-class family in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, Rizwan grew up understanding the value of every rupee. His father could barely afford his convent school fees, leaving him with only Rs 15 per month as pocket money. Speaking about those days, Rizwan once recalled how watching his friends enjoy snacks in the school canteen became the trigger that changed his life forever. Entrance. (Photo: Curly Tales/YouTube) “I used to finish my Rs 15 pocket money in one week. It …

Toddler, her 2-month-old sister killed in Lucknow slum fire

Toddler, her 2-month-old sister killed in Lucknow slum fire

Published by Parlour News

Lucknow, Two children were killed in a massive fire that gutted a slum cluster in the Vikas Nagar area here, police said on Thursday, as rescue teams and residents trawled through the site reduced to ashes from the blaze the evening before. Toddler, her 2-month-old sister killed in Lucknow slum fire The bodies of the two children were recovered late Wednesday, hours after the devastating fire broke out, Deputy Commissioner of Police Deeksha Sharma said. “The bodies have been sent for a post-mortem. Their parents have been informed,” she told reporters. The two victims were sisters – Shruti and her two-month-old sister, officials said. Police said the parents of the deceased children are from Kashipurwa village in Barabanki district. The fire, which started Wednesday evening in a slum cluster near the Ring Road in Vikas Nagar, rapidly engulfed over 200 shanties and reduced residents’ belongings to ashes. Hundreds of people, mostly domestic workers and daily wage earners, were left homeless. After receiving information about the blaze, fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, and …

UP: Two children killed, over 200 shanties destroyed during fire at Lucknow slum

UP: Two children killed, over 200 shanties destroyed during fire at Lucknow slum

Published by Webster

A massive fire swept through a slum cluster in Vikas Nagar area of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, killing two children and leaving hundreds homeless, police said on Thursday. According to reports, locals stated that several LPG cylinders exploded during the fire that destroyed over 200 shanties in Vikas Nagar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Deeksha Sharma said that the bodies of two children, both around two years old, were recovered late on Wednesday, hours after the fire broke out, reported the PTI. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and their families have been informed. The process of identification is currently underway. Fire engulfs hundreds of shanties The blaze started on Wednesday evening in a slum cluster near Ring Road in Vikas Nagar. It spread rapidly, gutting nearly 200 shanties and destroying residents’ belongings. Most of those affected are domestic workers and daily wage earners, many of whom have now been left without shelter. Fire tenders were rushed to the scene soon after the incident was reported. Teams from the police, fire department, SDRF …

All residents of 3 slum clusters near PM’s residence will be rehabilitated: Centre to HC | Delhi News

All residents of 3 slum clusters near PM’s residence will be rehabilitated: Centre to HC | Delhi News

Published by Parlour News

3 min readMar 11, 2026 10:56 AM IST Everyone living in the three slum clusters on Race Course Road near the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi will be rehabilitated, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday as the court heard a petition challenging the eviction of slum dwellers and demolition of the jhuggi and jhopdi (JJ) clusters. The Centre, the HC was told, has “taken a conscious decision that there will be no resident deemed to be eligible or not eligible” for rehabilitation, and in fact, “all will be eligible”. In February, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ (MoHUA) Land and Development Office (L&DO) had issued notices to residents of the three JJ clusters — Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp, and DID Camp — on Race Course Road, situated adjacent to the Delhi Race Club and Jaipur Polo Ground, to vacate the premises. However, a petition was moved the same month by over 300 residents of the Bhai Ram camp in the High Court, seeking quashing of the notice “and/or allotment” …

From living in a slum to Rs 14,000 crore net worth: The struggle behind the man who inspired Netflix’s Hello Bachhon | Bollywood News

From living in a slum to Rs 14,000 crore net worth: The struggle behind the man who inspired Netflix’s Hello Bachhon | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

3 min readMumbaiMar 5, 2026 07:38 PM IST TVF (The Viral Fever), continuing its tradition of portraying the aspirations and struggles of middle-class student life, is gearing up for the release of its new web series Hello Bachhon. Set to premiere on Netflix this Friday, the series stars Vineet Kumar Singh in the principal role inspired by the real-life story of Alakh Pandey, the founder of the educational technology company Physics Wallah. Recently, Alakh Pandey, whose net worth is estimated at Rs 14,510 crore, appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he reflected on his early struggles. ‘Became a teacher out of compulsion’ Recalling his childhood, Alakh shared how circumstances forced him into teaching, as it was not out of passion, but simple necessity. He told Kapil Sharma, “When I was in sixth grade, my father had to sell our house, and we moved into a rented home in a slum. I really wanted to prepare for exams like the IIT entrance, but how could I? We were living in a place where the …

‘Can’t Neglect Basic Human Rights’: Bombay HC Orders BMC To Improve Slum Sanitation | Mumbai-news News

‘Can’t Neglect Basic Human Rights’: Bombay HC Orders BMC To Improve Slum Sanitation | Mumbai-news News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 18:07 IST The HC noted that the BMC is duty-bound to provide and maintain enough toilets “so that the hygiene and health of the slum dwellers is looked after.” A general view of the Dharavi slums in Mumbai. (AFP file photo) The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure sufficient toilet facilities in slum areas across Mumbai, including those on encroached municipal or government land. Observing that access to adequate sanitation is a basic human right under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution, the court said, “In our opinion, making adequate provisions for toilets/sanitation facilities concerns the basic human rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.” The HC noted that the BMC, particularly when the land belongs to it, is duty-bound to provide and maintain enough toilets “so that the hygiene and health of the slum dwellers is looked after.” This obligation applies to all slums in Mumbai, the court added. The order was passed on February 3 during the hearing of a writ …

SC seeks reply of Maharashtra govt, civic body on plea against HC order on slum rehabilitation

SC seeks reply of Maharashtra govt, civic body on plea against HC order on slum rehabilitation

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses of the Maharashtra government and others including the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai on a plea challenging a Bombay High Court verdict allowing slum rehabilitation schemes on plots originally reserved for parks, gardens, and playgrounds. SC seeks reply of Maharashtra govt, civic body on plea against HC order on slum rehabilitation While upholding the validity of a regulation on slum rehabilitation schemes, the Bombay High Court on June 19, 2025 delivered a landmark verdict aimed at balancing Mumbai’s desperate need for green cover with the constitutional right to shelter. It had upheld the validity of Regulation 17 of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034. The regulation permitted implementation of slum rehabilitation schemes on lands originally reserved for parks, gardens, and playgrounds, provided a portion is restored to the public. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for those who had filed the PIL in the high court, and …

Mumbai’s slum votes: why parties depend on the power bloc but rarely acknowledge | Mumbai News

Mumbai’s slum votes: why parties depend on the power bloc but rarely acknowledge | Mumbai News

Published by Parlour News

Slum settlements, home to more than 40 per cent of Mumbai’s residents, are central to the city’s social fabric but rarely feature prominently in the political debate around elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Over the years, slums have been labelled variously as vote banks or political liabilities. While parties, such as the Congress, have often been accused by rivals of focusing on slum voters at the cost of planned development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena have drawn considerable political strength from these densely populated areas in Mumbai. Slums in Mumbai According to the 2011 Census, the most recent comprehensive data available, 41.9 per cent of Mumbai’s population lived in slums. Though the figure may have changed over the past decade due to redevelopment and migration, slums remain a decisive part of the electorate. Census data shows that in eight municipal wards, more than half the population lives in slum settlements. Of the 96 corporator seats in these wards, the BJP won 38, nearly 40 per cent, higher than its …

Delhi: One dead as fire breaks out in slum near Rithala Metro Station

Delhi: One dead as fire breaks out in slum near Rithala Metro Station

Published by Webster

One person died after a massive fire broke out in a slum area near Rithala Metro Station in the national capital on Friday night, officials said. According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), firefighting and cooling operations were carried out through the night to control the blaze. One body was recovered from the site, while another injured person, a child, was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital for treatment. “One body has been recovered by the firefighters from the fire that broke out in the slums near Rithala Metro Station. One injured is undergoing treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital. More details awaited,” the Delhi Fire Service said in an official statement. The incident took place in Bengali Basti, located between Rithala Metro Station and the Delhi Jal Board premises. Fire officials said the blaze was of “Medium category” due to its intensity. Delhi Fire Service officer SK Dua told ANI that a total of 29 fire tenders were pressed into service to control the flames. After hours of dousing operation, the blaze was brought under control. “We …