Maharashtra aims to unblock the allocation of nearly two lakh homes from long-stalled slum rehabilitation projects, a scheme initially introduced in 1995. The recently enacted Maharashtra Slum Act 2025 empowers the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) with enhanced powers to address developer defaults and expedite project completion. This crucial reform is poised to fundamentally reshape Mumbai’s urban landscape, promising a more equitable housing future for thousands of eligible residents who have faced years of uncertainty.
Under the new amendments, the SRA CEO now possesses the authority to recover unpaid transit rent from defaulting developers by attaching their properties, treating these dues akin to land revenue arrears. Furthermore, the eviction notice period for occupants has been shortened from 120 to 60 days, introducing a more stringent framework for adherence to rehabilitation timelines. This measure is designed to inject greater accountability into the system, ensuring that developers meet their commitments and that residents are not left in precarious transitional housing for prolonged periods. The original market-led slum rehabilitation scheme, while ambitious in its goal to make Mumbai slum-free, has been plagued by delays due to various factors, including unqualified builders, interference, and eligibility disputes, leaving many families in limbo.
To address these systemic challenges, a comprehensive new policy has been formulated, emphasising institutional intervention and robust public-private partnerships. This strategy involves the active participation of various government agencies, such as the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which are now empowered to take over and complete stalled projects. As of 2024, an estimated 228 such projects have been formally reassigned to these government bodies for completion, with the potential to benefit approximately 218,000 residents directly. This collaborative approach underscores a commitment to sustainable urban development, aiming to provide permanent, dignified housing that integrates seamlessly into a more eco-friendly and inclusive city fabric.
Crucially, the new policy also provides clarity on beneficiary eligibility, deeming all huts occupied before January 1, 2011, as eligible. This broadens the scope of inclusion, ensuring that more long-term residents can benefit from the rehabilitation efforts. Addressing past financial irregularities, the policy tackles the substantial arrears in rent payments, which had accumulated to approximately INR 1,400 crores by 2024, with concerted efforts now underway for recovery. These multi-pronged initiatives represent a significant push to revive long-dormant projects and ensure that eligible residents finally receive their rightful homes. By combining enhanced government oversight with the mandated involvement of capable builders, Mumbai is striving to complete its rehabilitation process effectively, moving towards a future where housing is more accessible and urban development is truly equitable for all its citizens.
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