Mumbai’s ambitious infrastructure expansion is facing a major roadblock due to a severe shortage of housing for Project Affected Persons (PAPs). A 2023 survey by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revealed that nearly 75,000 households will need rehabilitation for projects such as the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, bridge reconstructions, and road or drainage widening. However, with only about 8,000 tenements currently available, the city faces a staggering deficit of 67,000 units.
“The BMC has around 3,000 tenements near Anik Depot in Sion and 5,000 units in Mankhurd. We are unable to offer rehabilitation in Mahul due to Bombay High Court restrictions,” said a senior BMC official.
Despite approvals for over 34,000 PAP homes, only a fraction is ready, and timelines for completion stretch up to five years. Officials admit that demand from just a few projects already consumes most of the existing housing stock. “We need 1,600 PAP houses for the Poisar River rejuvenation project; 800 units for the GMLR; and 1,600 for the Maghathane-Goregaon Link Road,” said additional municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar.
Activists argue that rapid urban development is outpacing rehabilitation planning in a space-constrained city. Allegations of irregularities have further worsened the crisis. “In Gazdar Bandh, Santacruz, ineligible families were declared as eligible by scamsters after acquiring their stakes, thus depriving genuine project affected people,” alleged Congress corporator Meher Mohsin Haider.
Questions have also been raised about the role of private developers and the use of transferable development rights (TDR), which critics say benefits builders more than displaced families. Housing activist Bilal Khan claims, “The BMC had surplus PAP units… but instead directed the affected families to Mahul.”
For many residents, relocation remains a major concern. “Considering the steep real estate prices in Mumbai, it is difficult for people to accept our rates of monetary compensation,” admits Bangar.
As the city pushes forward with critical projects, the widening gap between development and rehabilitation continues to spark concern over equity, transparency, and planning.
Source: Hindustan Times
