It is indeed unfortunate that the more formidable challenges of urban housing for the poor have so far been ignored by private builders. But in the absence of a more egalitarian public land policy, the parcelling of expensive prime land to private developers has led to a lopsided urban development. With builders expecting larger profitable returns from luxury housing — Belvedere Parks and Malibu Townes — it is but natural that the urban poor remain in slums or beyond the boundaries of large towns.

Only now, given that the recession has cut into the profits from luxury apartments, some builders have embarked down a more socially conscious road. Most recently, the Tatas have announced plans to extend the idea of Nano into housing.Their usefulness and quality are still parameters that will become apparent in the longer term of their occupancy.

The president’s proposal for a slum-free India is certainly heroic, but its execution must be guarded and carefully monitored. Reclaiming people’s lives for the purpose of improving them is one thing, but doing so for improving the city is entirely another. It would be interesting to see which of these is the motive for the president’s call.

The writer is a Delhi-based architect.