September 8, 2025:
The Maharashtra government is preparing a new policy to redevelop more than 1,000 old and dangerous buildings constructed under Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation schemes. According to a senior housing department official, the policy will be announced shortly and is aimed at expediting redevelopment while ensuring safety.
Under the proposal, residents will be offered additional incentive floor space index (FSI) under Section 33(7) of the Development Control Rules. The scheme will provide 50 per cent more FSI than currently prescribed, allowing developers to carry out reconstruction more efficiently and encouraging faster completion of projects.
Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme has been in operation since 1998. Initially, beneficiaries received free flats of 180–225 sq. ft., which later increased to 269 sq. ft. and currently stand at 300 sq. ft. However, many existing SRA buildings face issues such as poor ventilation, lack of open spaces, and faulty sewage systems. Residents often complain that buildings are clustered together with little natural light or air circulation.
While responsibility for building maintenance lies with the municipal corporation, complaints have persisted for years. The new redevelopment policy is expected to address these shortcomings and provide safer, better-planned housing for slum dwellers.
