₹57 Crore Allotted to Tackle Landslide-Prone Areas in Mumbai’s Suburbs
Mumbai’s suburban areas, notorious for being vulnerable to landslides, are set to receive a significant boost in safety with the allocation of ₹57 crore aimed at strengthening 261 landslide-prone sites. This financial intervention follows a meeting of the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) chaired by Mumbai’s suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar. The funds will be used to implement measures that prevent accidents and protect residents, particularly in areas prone to the devastating effects of landslides during the monsoon season.
The sum has been approved by the Mumbai Suburban District Collectorate, and it will go towards reinforcing hillside zones identified as particularly vulnerable. Of the 299 sites flagged as hazardous by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), 261 are located in the suburbs, while the remaining 38 fall within the island city. These landslide-prone areas often house informal settlements, such as slums, which are at high risk when rainwater weakens the soil, leading to mudslides that can destroy homes and claim lives.
District planning officer Sanjay Shinde explained that areas such as Saki Naka, Bhandup West, Mulund West, Ghatkopar West, and Chembur (Lal Dongar) are known to be particularly vulnerable. These regions, along with others like Asalpha, Chandivali, and areas near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, are frequently affected by landslides. Past tragedies, such as the Ghatkopar East landslide in 2000 and Andheri East in 2005, which collectively took the lives of over 70 people, underscore the need for urgent intervention. The allocation will focus on measures like building retaining walls, particularly in areas like Goregaon, where conventional methods have proven ineffective. In other cases, more advanced solutions like netting have been employed, such as at Gilbert Hill, a heritage site in Andheri. The sheer basalt rock face of Gilbert Hill, which stands out in the middle of the city, has been almost entirely covered by netting to prevent debris from falling during monsoon rains.
This funding forms part of a broader ₹943 crore package approved by the DPDC for 2025-26, which also includes projects aimed at upgrading police stations, enhancing tourism infrastructure, and building more Citizen Facilitation Centres (SETUs). The latter initiative will make it easier for residents to access services like permits, certificates, and affidavits, significantly streamlining administrative processes. Further discussions in the meeting led to an emphasis on addressing illegal immigration issues, with joint guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha requesting police to act swiftly against the infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas into the city. He also highlighted the importance of tackling illegal encroachments within Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) buildings, which remain a persistent challenge in the city’s urban landscape.
While the ₹57 crore allocation specifically targets landslide prevention, it marks a concerted effort by the authorities to address the multiple challenges Mumbai faces, particularly in its suburban areas. By targeting high-risk spots for structural improvements, the city is working to safeguard the lives of residents who live in vulnerable areas. With the monsoon season fast approaching, these proactive measures will undoubtedly be a lifeline for thousands who call these landslide-prone zones home. As the city’s infrastructure continues to evolve, these targeted interventions are crucial to ensuring that Mumbai can withstand the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate-related disasters. The allocation of funds represents a step towards greater resilience, not only for the physical landscape but for the communities that live within it.