India has achieved great achievement in urban development. The Union Territory of Chandigarh has become the first city in the country which was officially declared a slum free. By removing several illegal settlements including Shahpur Colony, the administration withdrew 520 acres of land and ensured alternative housing and rehabilitation.

By removing several illegal settlements including Shahpur Colony, the administration withdrew 520 acres of land and ensured alternative housing and rehabilitation.

Union Territory of Chandigarh has achieved historical achievement towards urban development. The city was officially declared slum-column after demolishing Shahpur Colony. This step is the result of the campaign for 12 years and strong urban administration, under which 520 acres of land in the city was re -acquired.

According to the report of the English Daily The Indian Express, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav confirmed that Chandigarh has now been officially declared Slum-Free City after the illegal possession was removed from Shahpur Colony.

India’s First Slum-Free City: Chandigarh

🏙️ A Major Urban Development Milestone
India has achieved a significant milestone in urban development. The Union Territory of Chandigarh has officially been declared the first slum-free city in the country. By removing illegal settlements—including Shahpur Colony—the administration reclaimed 520 acres of land and ensured alternative housing and rehabilitation for displaced residents.

🏗️ The Campaign and Land Reclamation
This transformation is the result of a 12-year-long campaign and strong urban governance. Over the years, the administration systematically cleared multiple unauthorized colonies:

• In 2014, the largest Kalyan Colony was demolished, reclaiming 89 acres.
• That same year, Ambedkar Colony was removed, recovering 65 acres.
• In 2022, the demolition of Colony No. 4 led to the recovery of another 65 acres.
• Additional colonies like Adarsh Colony, Sector-25 Colony, and Sanjay Colony were also vacated.

🧱 Reimagining Chandigarh
Chandigarh was originally envisioned in the 1950s by French architect Le Corbusier as a modern city free from slums and chaotic expansion. However, rapid urbanization and migration led to the growth of slum settlements. The demolition of Shahpur Colony marks the realization of that original vision.

🏘️ Rehabilitation and Amenities
This wasn’t just about eviction—it was part of a structured rehabilitation plan:

• Alternative housing was provided in Maloya, Mauli Jagran, and Dhanas.
• Basic infrastructure like clean water, electricity, waste management, and paved roads was ensured.
• Families received skill development and employment support.
• Schools, health centers, and community buildings were also made available.

🌱 A New Beginning
The removal of Shahpur Colony is not just an end—it’s a new beginning. By eliminating decades of slum culture, Chandigarh is now moving toward planned and sustainable development. As India’s first major slum-free city, Chandigarh honors Le Corbusier’s vision and sets a model of inspiration for other cities across the country.

Which city in India has become the country’s first slum-free city? Find out the name here. Chandigarh is the first city in India to be declared slum-free. The announcement came in early October 2025, after the city’s administration demolished its final slum, Shahpur Colony. Chandigarh becomes India’s first slum-free city with razing of Shahpur Colony

Chandigarh has become the country’s first slum-free city after the demolition of Shahpur Colony in Sector-38, which was the last remaining slum in the Union territory, officials said.

The demolition drive was carried out on September 30, the officials said, adding that the Shahpur Colony was spread over 4-4.5 acres of land valued at Rs 250 crore.

The settlement comprised around 300 huts and tenements, housing nearly 1,000 residents. With the removal of all the unauthorised colonies from government land and the successful implementation of large-scale rehabilitation measures, the city has completed the final phase of its long-standing slum eradication initiative, the officials said.

“Through a combination of planned rehabilitation, strategic demolitions, and strict enforcement, Chandigarh has taken a significant step forward in eliminating slums.

“This initiative not only ensures the recovery of valuable public land but also provides thousands of residents with dignified housing and improved living conditions,” Deputy Commissioner With this milestone, Chandigarh is setting an example of urban renewal and inclusive development, providing a model for other cities across India to emulate, the officials said.

Before the latest demolition drive, all applications for rehabilitation were screened under the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund NFO closes today. Who should invest?

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The Jio black rock Flexi Cap Fund which is currently open for subscription is closing on October 7. The fund is an open-ended dynamic equity scheme. It invests across market caps and utilizes BlackRock’s technological innovations for data analysis and stock selection. The flexi cap fund emphasizes a systematic approach, combining human expertise with machine efficiency for diversified investment.

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The fund will be benchmarked against Nifty 500 Index (TRI) and will be managed by Tanvi Kacheri and Sahil Chaudhary. Maximum Total expenses ratio (TER) permissible under Regulation 52 (6) (c) is upto 2.25%, according to the scheme information document How to proceed with investment?

The CIO of JioBlackRock Mutual Fund, Rishi Kohli recommended that first time investors may go for SIPs in the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund whereas seasoned investors who understand the market cycles better may go for lumpsum investment in the fund.

Kohli in an exclusive webinar on Jio black rock Flexi Cap Fund said that, “Based on current signals and geopolitical scenarios Kohli in an exclusive webinar on JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund said that, “Based on current signals and geopolitical scenarios, new investors can begin with SIPs, while seasoned investors can consider lump sums – since our aim is to manage risk and volatility while targeting alpha.”

According to Rishi Kohli, this is India’s first active equity fund powered by Systematic Active Equity (SAE) and this SAE approach helps the fund house decide which news, article, or signal to pick and link to investments – aiming at investors’ benefit.

He further highlighted that the fund doesn’t just focus on alpha but the risk and cost are also built into the process. SIPs for first-timers, lump sums for veterans in Jio black rock Flexi Cap Fund: Rishi Kohli Synopsis

Rishi Kohli, CIO of JioBlackRock MF, recommends SIPs in the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund for first-time investors, while seasoned investors may consider lumpsum investments. The fund uses Systematic Active Equity and BlackRock’s Aladdin platform for risk-managed alpha generation.

Amid current economic indicators and shifting geopolitical dynamics, Rishi Kohli, CIO of JioBlackRock Mutual Fund, recommends that first time investors may go for SIPs in the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund whereas seasoned investors who understand the market cycles better may go for lumpsum investment in the fund.

The CIO in an exclusive webinar said that, ““Based on current signals and geopolitical scenarios, new investors can begin with SIPs, while seasoned investors can consider lump sums – since our aim is to manage risk and volatility while targeting alpha.” – Rishi Kohli, CIO Jio black rock Asset Management Private Limited.”

The JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund is now open for subscription and will close on October 7. The fund will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days of allotment date.

According to Rishi Kohli, this is India’s first active equity fund powered by Systematic Active Equity (SAE) and this SAE approach helps the fund house decide which news, article, or signal to pick and link to investments – aiming at investors’ benefit.

He further highlighted that the fund doesn’t just focus on alpha but the risk and cost are also built into the process.

““Our traditional plus alternative data approach helps us react faster. Aladdin, Blackrock’s end-to-end integrated platform, supports us in managing the fund at scale, with cost efficiencies,” Kohli said in the webinar.

The flexi cap fund is following an active investment strategy which adopts a systematic approach to stock selection and portfolio construction. The approach allows the fund managers to respond proactively to changing market conditions and emerging opportunities.

The investible universe of the scheme is defined by the fund managers based on inputs from the investment team to limit investments into stocks of issuers based on their track record pertaining to governance, debt servicing, regulatory compliance or market perceptions and such other parameters.

The portfolio construction process is powered by BlackRock’s technology platform – Aladdin, which has been licensed to JioBlackRock AMC. This process is augmented by an optimization process which leverages the composite research score along with other inputs from the investment team such as risk constraints, transaction cost, market liquidity, sector constraints and such other inputs.

Jio black rock Flexi Cap Fund is an open-ended dynamic equity scheme investing across large cap, mid cap, small cap stocks. The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate long term capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity related instruments across market capitalization.

This flexi cap fund from JioBlackRock Mutual Fund will allocate 65-100% in equity and equity-related instruments of large cap, mid cap and small cap companies, 0-35% in debt and money market instruments, and 0-10% in units of REITS and InvITs.

The fund will be benchmarked against Nifty 500 Index (TRI) and will be managed by Tanvi Kacheria and Sahil Chaudhary. Maximum Total expenses ratio (TER) permissible under Regulation 52 (6) (c) is upto 2.25%, according to the scheme information document (SID).

Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund launches first active equity fund. Should you invest Synopsis

Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund has launched its first active equity scheme, the Jio black rock Flexi Cap Fund, now open for subscription until October 7. This open-ended fund invests across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks, aiming to generate long-term capital appreciation through equity and equity-related instruments. Continuous sale and repurchase will resume within five business days of allotment. 3 flexi cap mutual funds to open for subscription this week. Are they worth adding to your portfolio.

Limited-time offer: Enjoy Free Trial of Et prime for 15 days!Log in to unlock member-only stories, investment tools, and ePaper instantly. These 10 equity mutual funds gave over 20% return in 6 months. Have you added any to your portfolio Synopsis

An analysis by ET Mutual Funds shows that in the last six months, around 10 equity mutual funds delivered over 20% returns, led by Motilal Oswal Large & Midcap Fund at 23.67%. Most funds posted positive returns, while Samco Large Cap Fund was the only one in negative territory. Performance varies across mid, small, and multi-cap funds.

Motilal Oswal Large & Midcap Fund, the top performer, delivered a 23.67% return in the last six months. The next six funds on the list were mid-cap funds, with HSBC Midcap Fund generating 23.21% and 22.09% returns, respectively, over the same period.

Kotak Midcap Fund, Mirae Asset Midcap Fund, Invesco India Midcap Fund, and ICICI Pru Midcap Fund gave 21.95%, 21%, 20.86%, and 20.39%, respectively, in the same time period.

Union Small Cap Fund, a small-cap fund, delivered a return of 20.24% in the last six months, followed by Canara Rob Mid Cap Fund, which delivered a 20.22% return in the said time period.

The other funds in the list that gave positive returns ranged between 3.27% and 19.59% in the last six months.

HDFC Small Cap Fund offered a return of 19.59% in the last six months, followed by WOC Mid Cap Fund, which gave 19.33% in the said time period. Two large- and mid-cap funds—HSBC Large & Mid Cap Fund and Helios Large & Mid Cap Fund—offered 18.81% and 18.76%, respectively.

Mirae Asset Small Cap Fund and Invesco India Large & Mid Cap Fund gave 18.02% each in the l Samco Large Cap Fund was the only fund that gave a negative return in the said time period. The fund lost 3.85% in the last six months.

We considered all equity funds, excluding sectoral and thematic funds. Both regular and growth options were included. The performance of the last six months was calculated.

Note: The above exercise is not a recommendation. The study was conducted solely to analyze the performance of equity mutual funds over the last six months. One should not make investment or redemption decisions based on this exercise.

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ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has launched the ICICI Prudential Conglomerate Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focusing on promoter-led Indian business groups with diverse listed entities. The NFO, open until October 17, aims to capture the resilience and growth potential of these diversified entities across various sectors and market caps.

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Chandigarh recently became India’s first slum-free city after the demolition of its last remaining slum, Shahpur Colony, in late September 2025. The demolition marked the culmination of a 12-year initiative to remove unauthorized settlements and provide rehabilitation for residents. How Did Chandigarh Become Slum Free; Where Did Those People Go? Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recently became India’s first slum-free city. This happened after the last remaining slum in the city, the Shahpur Colony, was finally razed by authorities. However, this milestone has sparked a mixture of celebration and controversy.

While the government claims this is a major achievement in urban development and cleanliness, questions are being raised about the fate of the thousands of people who lived there.

Chandigarh Free Of Slums?

On 30th September 2025, the last slum settlement in Chandigarh, Shahpur Colony, was demolished. The settlement was spread over 4 to 4.5 acres of land and valued at around Rs. 250 crore, with around 300 houses and nearly 1,000 residents.

This essentially makes Union Territory of Chandigarh the first Indian city to be free of all slums and marked the end of a 12-year-long campaign to remove unauthorised colonies and reclaim public land.

The city cleared out 18 slum colonies and reclaimed over 520 acres of land valued at approximately Rs 21,000 crore over the years.

Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, said, “Through a combination of planned rehabilitation, strategic demolitions, and strict enforcement, Chandigarh has made a significant step forward in eliminating slums. This initiative not only ensures the recovery of valuable public land but also provides thousands of residents with dignified housing and improved living conditions.”

He added, “With this milestone, Chandigarh is setting an example of urban renewal and inclusive development, providing a model for other cities across India to emulate.”

Other large slum settlements that were cleared were the Kalyan Colony and Ambedkar Colony in 2014, which were spread over 89 acres and 65 acres, respectively.

Another 65 acres were recovered when Colony No. 4 was demolished in 2022. This year itself, Janta Colony in Sector 25, was razed down in May, affecting 10 acres of land and almost 10,000 residents.

Around 6 acres of land were recovered when the Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase I was demolished in April. The land valued at 250 crore housed almost 5,000 people. Where Are The Residents Of These Slums?

However, among all the celebrations, the question of where the residents of these slums are has been raised constantly.

Soon after the news came out, several people online started to comment, inquiring about the status of the slum residents.

Various users asked, “Where were they relocated?” or “Where did the slum dwellers go?” While another wrote, “It’s not slum free, but the slum has been bulldozed without any rehabilitation.”

One user commented, “Poverty, unemployment, & low-productivity jobs drive slums. Govts must tackle these root causes—invest in jobs, education, & economic opportunity—rather than just clearing slums, which only masks the problem.”

One elderly resident, Baldev Kumar, was quoted by Deccan Herald saying, “I have been living in Chandigarh for the past 40 years and can say that it is a good thing if there are no slums. But those affected by the demolition of slums should be suitably rehabilitated and their livelihood protected.”

While the authorities boast of being a city free of slums, it’s essential to ask where the people who lived there went, whether they received proper compensation, adequate time to relocate, and were generally treated with respect. The Shahpur Colony slum had approximately 400 homes, housing almost 1,000 residents.

According to reports, the government had allotted flats in Industrial Area Phase-I, Dhanas, Mauli Jagran, Ram Darbar, and Sector 49 for families eligible under the EWS (economically weaker section). However, those who were either deemed ineligible or lacked the required documents face a harsh reality.

As per a Deccan Herald report, a resident who lived in that colony for 20 years said, “Where will I go with four daughters and a son now. The rent is too high in areas neighbouring our slum. Where will I go? I have not been given any alternate accommodation.”

Another resident who had been given a home in the Industrial Area Phase 1 said that “it was not livable”. Several of the residents in this area are migrants who worked odd jobs as labourers, vegetable sellers, and more, and feel as if their already turbulent lives have been thrown for more upheaval.

One resident said, “Our livelihood has been disrupted and we have nowhere to go now. No politician has come to help us in this situation. At the time of elections, they made a beeline to seek votes, but no one is here now.”

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Image Credits: Google Images

Sources: The Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Firstpost

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