The Bombay High Court has raised strong concerns over the prolonged delay in a slum rehabilitation project on approximately 66,000 square metres of government land in Chembur, Mumbai, questioning the inaction of the Maharashtra government, Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and other public agencies.
A division bench comprising Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale was hearing petitions concerning the redevelopment of the site. The court observed that government authorities could not remain passive when public land was facing encroachment or was tied up in prolonged legal disputes.
The bench emphasised that state agencies and planning authorities must actively protect public property and take steps to advance redevelopment in the broader public interest. It also expressed concern over situations where public bodies allegedly remained bystanders after encroachments and permitted commercial negotiations involving government land.
The Chembur redevelopment initiative dates back to August 2006. However, nearly two decades later, construction has yet to begin. The project has remained caught in legal disputes involving multiple slum-dweller societies and rival private developers.
The court noted that such prolonged litigation has undermined the purpose of the slum rehabilitation framework, which is intended to provide eligible residents with improved and secure housing.
The observations also highlighted wider concerns regarding the management of government-owned land in Mumbai and surrounding areas. The court indicated that valuable public land cannot be left vulnerable to encroachment or become indefinitely immobilised because of disputes between private parties.
The bench stressed that government and planning authorities have a responsibility to exercise active ownership over public property. Redevelopment, it said, should be pursued in accordance with public objectives rather than being dictated by commercial negotiations among private developers.
The case highlights the complexities surrounding Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation projects, which often involve government agencies, resident societies and private developers. While legal proceedings can affect project timelines, the court’s observations underline the need for public authorities to continue protecting government land and addressing administrative responsibilities during such disputes.
The next course of action will depend on how the Maharashtra government, SRA and other concerned authorities respond to the court’s observations and take steps towards safeguarding the land and progressing the long-pending rehabilitation project.
Source: Urban Acres
