Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has issued a stern directive to the Maharashtra government and relevant authorities, urging them to develop a vision for transforming Mumbai into a ‘slum-free’ city.
This call to action was prompted by the court’s growing concerns over the plight of slum-dwellers, who have reportedly been exploited by developers amidst ongoing redevelopment projects. A special bench of the High Court, led by Justices Girish Kulkarni and Somashekhar Sundaresan, was established last week to conduct an extensive audit of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance & Redevelopment) Act of 1971. This move follows a Supreme Court order issued on July 31.
The bench highlighted the urgent need for a balanced approach to urban development, stressing that Mumbai’s future cannot be solely dominated by skyscrapers and concrete. “The vision for Mumbai must extend beyond mere high-rises to include ample open and green spaces,” Justice Kulkarni emphasised. He expressed deep concern over the current land management practices, which he believes are inadequate for ensuring sustainable development.
The court’s observations also addressed the detrimental impact of private developers on slum dwellers. Developers, who are engaged to redevelop slum areas, often delay project completion and neglect their responsibilities, leaving residents in precarious situations. “Slum dwellers are frequently at the mercy of developers who, after evicting them, may take excessive time to complete redevelopment or even fail to make timely rent payments,” Justice Kulkarni noted. The court has demanded stringent measures to ensure the quality and maintenance of redevelopment projects.
Redeveloped buildings must meet high standards of quality and upkeep,” the bench stated, emphasising that slum dwellers are entitled to decent living conditions and that future redevelopment must avoid creating new slums. Advocate General Birendra Saraf highlighted the problem of rehab tenements being sold by their occupants, which undermines the intended benefits of these properties. The state is exploring solutions, including potential restrictions on the registration of such sales. The High Court has appointed senior advocates Darius Khambatta, Sharan Jagtiani, and Advocate Naira Jejeebhoy as Amicus Curiae to assist in the matter.
