Nagpur Slum Dwellers Finally Get Legal Ownership of Their Homes in 426 Settlements

Nagpur : Thanks to a people-centric initiative led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, residents of 426 slum settlements in Nagpur have finally received ownership rights to their homes, turning long-standing dreams into reality. This transformative decision, which originated from Fadnavis’ earlier protest march against the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), has become a model of inclusive governance.

One such area, previously known as the Laxminagar slum, has now been renamed Shramiknagar, shedding its old identity and embracing a future of dignity and self-respect.

Government Commitment to Housing for All

Under this initiative:

• Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhists received homes through the Ramai Awas Yojana.
• Tribal beneficiaries were supported via the Shabari Awas Yojana.
• Other general-category residents benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The government has reiterated its commitment that not a single eligible person will be left without a home.

“We Bought a Hut in 1989 for ₹150” – Ramdas Wuike Shares His Journey

“I worked at Shivaji College in 1989 for a daily wage of ₹10. Buying a permanent house was unimaginable. I managed to buy a small hut in the Laxminagar slum for ₹150. Though it gave us shelter, it lacked legal ownership. It was a life of daily struggles—on one hand for survival and on the other for our right to a home,” says Ramdas Wuike, one of the 110 slum residents of the area.

He credits Devendra Fadnavis, then a local corporator, for standing by them during their fight. “He respected our dignity and worked tirelessly to solve our issues—from being a corporator to eventually becoming Chief Minister.”

“Our Second Generation Is Now Educated and Thriving”

The settlement on NIT land was officially recognized as a slum in 1990. With support from local NGOs like City Development Forum, the NIT and Nagpur Municipal Corporation began improving basic amenities.

Most residents were daily-wage laborers or domestic workers. Wuike recalls that from 1990 to 2000, the area was notorious due to local crime, but over time, development changed its image.

“Now our children are graduates and are living respectable lives,” he proudly states.

Fadnavis Led a March to NIT for Property Rights

As corporator of Laxminagar ward, Fadnavis persistently raised the issue of slum redevelopment and ownership rights. After becoming mayor and then MLA, he followed up with the NIT to remove school land reservations on the site. When no progress was made, he personally led a protest march to the NIT headquarters.

According to Anil Vasnik, senior journalist and convener of City Development Forum, “Fadnavis ensured that slum dwellers got their rightful land after becoming Chief Minister in 2017-18 by lifting the reservation on the area. His initiatives in distributing property titles and promoting housing schemes like PMAY and Ramai Awas have no parallel.”

A People-Funded Statue of Dr. Ambedkar Unveiled by CM Fadnavis

The area has a large Neo-Buddhist and Scheduled Caste population. As a symbol of respect, locals came together to raise funds and install a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, including a small canopy built through community contributions.

The residents insisted that CM Fadnavis himself inaugurate the statue. Before the ceremony, he addressed all pending development issues in the area to clear the way for its formal dedication.

This initiative stands as a milestone in urban development, offering legal shelter, dignity, and hope to thousands of families while showcasing the power of political will and citizen participation.