In the pre-liberation days, Goa was totally free of any slums. During the last few decades due to the rapid urbanisation of Goa, rampant construction projects, a fair amount of industrialisation and the growth of industry and industrial estates and the consequent need for labour in Goa saw the growth of the so-called slum areas. With these areas becoming the vote banks for the political big-wigs, only added to the woes of not only the locals but also the slum-dwellers themselves. If one visits a slum area we find that the way the people live there is not only a great dis-service to the residents but also a shame for the society who use the services of this hard working labour force that contributes so much to the local economy and development.
In this age of liberalisation and globalisation, people migrate in search of employment. Shelter is a basic necessity for any human being. However a decent accommodation is a human right for which Governments and employers should be responsible. When any disasters such as fire, storms, floods or diseases strike, it is the slums that bear the brunt of such calamities the most. The recent lockdown and the consequent exodus of the migrants from their places of residence brought to light the misery that our migrants are prone to. The fact that they opted to walk home from many parts of the country indicates that they all have a home. Why then is it necessary for the whole family to migrate to a place where they are forced to live in an undignified manner?
It is quite understandable that the working member needs to migrate. This means that if he is provided with a decent place to live and get his regular needs such as a place to wash, rest, eat, etc. where he will be comfortable; while on the other hand his family can continue to stay at their native place it should be a win-win situation for all. The solution to this problem would be by way of public dormitories with proper water supply, clean beds and linen, canteen facility, regular medical check up, and so on. This could even be a source of employment for the private operators. This will keep the development of slums at bay.
Such a provision will also eradicate the social problems that originate from slums. It must be realized that while most people live in slums only out of sheer need to survive, a lot of anti social effects are also generated by such living. Poor living standards, total lack of health and hygiene and consequent diseases, lack of privacy, quarrels amongst neighbours, etc. are some of the fallouts of slum dwellings. Since most of the slum dwellers are cut off from the mainstream urban dwellers, problems such as drug abuse, gangsterism, alcoholism, crime, psychological impact on children, vandalism and other deviant behavior put a heavy load on the law and order maintenance machinery of the state.
All in all, slums should be banned being an inhuman way of living. Governments should make it the responsibility of employers or contractors to see that migrant workers are housed in a dignified manner. In a place like Goa where the Covid infections in recent times spread more from the slum areas should be an eye-opener for our people.
