Answer:

Slums have often been defined by developmental theories as a transitional phenomenon characteristic of fast-growing economies. But these theories are being proven wrong as slums have become a persistent problem. Millions of households find themselves trapped in slums for generations. According to 2011 census, around 17.4 % urban Indian households live in slums. (Slum population is projected to increase from

93.1 million in 2001 to 104.7 million in 2017).

Today’s slums pose a deeper, persistent structural problem caused by multiple market and policy failures, poor governance and management hindering investment, and poor and unsanitary living conditions. Issues include:

♤ The slum region is marked by lack of adequate living space, insufficient provision of public goods, and the poor quality of basic amenities like clean drinking water and sanitation. All of which lead to extremely poor health and diminishing human capital not only for the slum dwellers but for the vicinity as well.

♤ Congestion, environmental mismanagement, degradation of natural resources.

♤ Poor education and opportunities, increased incidence of crime, vulnerability of women, substance abuse, crowding and depersonalisation and other social and humanitarian problems.

♤ Other issues relate to displacement of population from settlements, unregulated encroachment cases such as Kathputli Colony in Delhi.