A study by a team of scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research,Germany has revealed that, the city has only five per cent covered by slums. But, the figures contrast those given by civic authorities.
According to the GHMC, there were nearly 17 lakh people living in slums last year. But the study reveals that the number of people living in slums was only about 10 lakh.
The researchers studied the ratio of slum homes in the city by using satellite imagery. They could figure out the slums based on the number of houses that are small, streets that are extremely narrow and close groupings. The research team, visited most of the slums in city to verify and confirm their characteristics.
The area under slums and its population have increased between 2003 and 2010 from 8 square kilometres to 19 square kilometres and from 6 lakhs to 10 lakhs. Areawise, it is roughly around five per cent of the area of the city. Slums have increased over the last decade despite several measures taken by civic authorities to make the city slum-free.
There are more number of slums in south and north parts of the city. The reality however, is Hyderabad has fewer slums than claimed.
Source: Deccan Chronicle