katchi
housing
Also known as: kuchha
Quick Summary
The term "katchi" is a variation of "kutcha," which means crude, raw, makeshift, or unfinished. In the context of housing in Kolkata, this refers to informal settlements known as bastis. These are collections of huts, often small, poorly ventilated, and dilapidated, with limited sanitary facilities and little open space. Approximately one-third of Kolkata's population lives in these bastis, which are part of the city's significant housing shortage. The government has initiated programs to improve and resettle these areas.123
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