Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the slum upgradation programme in the state through videoconferencing. The slum upgradation and de-listing initiative has an aim of making the state slum free within a period of three years. The programme aims to improve the living conditions of 18 lakh slum dwellers by providing them piped water supply, paved roads, storm water drains, street lights, sanitation, household electricity, community spaces and recreational areas. More importantly, it encourages the participation of the slum dwellers in the upgradation process.“We had decided to empower slum dwellers with the JAGA Mission that laid the foundation of a new humane and inclusive urban development model. Today, it gives me great pleasure to launch the next stage of JAGA Mission – the slum upgradation and de-listing initiative,” the CM said on the occasion. The process shall start immediately in 1000 slums and then scaled up to cover 2919 slums across the state within a period of 3 years to make the state slum free, said Patnaik.The CM also dedicated 116 multi purpose community centres in the slums which would act as the social lifeline of the slum communities. He also commenced the distribution of Land Entitlement Certificates to 1,05,000 families living in 1718 slums in 101 towns, thereby benefiting 4.5 lakh population. “While Odisha is putting up a brave fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope this upgradation initiative will enhance the collective resilience of the slum dwellers by improving their lives and livelihoods,” the CM said.