The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday urged the state government to consider extending Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) benefits to tenants living on the first floors of slum structures, highlighting potential gaps in the current policy that could undermine the goal of a slum-free Mumbai. Speaker Rahul Narwekar noted that demolishing ground-floor units without addressing upper-floor residents may push them to settle elsewhere, creating new informal settlements.
MLAs stressed that the existing SRA framework does not adequately cover slum dwellers occupying upper floors or mezzanine levels, posing a challenge for ongoing redevelopment projects. They called for policy revisions to ensure inclusive housing solutions for all affected residents.
The SRA, established by the Maharashtra government in 1995, facilitates private developers in redeveloping slum land. Under the scheme, developers provide free housing to eligible slum residents while leveraging additional development rights to sell extra flats, helping fund the projects. However, the current rules do not recognise tenants on upper floors as eligible for free rehabilitation housing, leaving a significant gap in the scheme’s reach.
Responding on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who oversees urban development and housing, minister Shambhuraj Desai said the matter would need consultation with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief ministers Shinde and Sunetra Pawar before a decision is taken. “I will place the suggestion raised in the House before the chief minister and the deputy chief ministers, who will jointly examine what can be done,” he added.
Narwekar reiterated the concern, stating, “Whenever ground-floor slum structures are demolished, it is natural that those residing in unauthorised upper floors will relocate and establish new slums. Therefore, the government should explore ways to accommodate tenants on upper floors under SRA schemes.”
Since its inception, the government has rehabilitated thousands of slum families. As of December 2025, 2,83,955 families across 2,545 projects in Mumbai, and 7,815 families across 51 projects in Thane, have been moved into permanent housing units, reflecting the ongoing efforts to achieve a slum-free urban environment.
Source: Mid-day
