November 15, 2025: The Maharashtra government has introduced a transformative policy aimed at accelerating slum rehabilitation in Mumbai and moving closer to its long-term goal of a slum-free city. In a significant shift, the state has announced that individual consent from slum dwellers will no longer be mandatory for group redevelopment of slum clusters, a step expected to fast-track large-scale projects that have often stalled due to fragmented approvals.
As per the new order, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) will act as the nodal agency for “cluster redevelopment” on continuous land parcels measuring at least 50 acres, provided that slum dwellings or structures occupy at least 51% of the area. These lands may belong to private owners, government bodies, or semi-government institutions. The scheme will also cover old and unsafe structures, chawls, rental tenements, and properties under development cess.
In a first, the state has allowed the inclusion of land owned by the central government. “Land owned by the central government may also be included upon obtaining necessary permissions from concerned authorities,” the government resolution (GR) stated. Additionally, land leased by government or semi-government bodies can be integrated, subject to compliance with DCPR 2034 and payment of compensation to the respective authorities.
The policy also enables the rehabilitation of structures falling under CRZ–I and II. “Slums on CRZ I and II may be integrated, with in-situ or alternative rehabilitation permitted within a 5-km radius as per CRZ and DCPR norms,” the GR said.
Developers may be appointed through public-private partnerships or open tenders. A developer already holding 40% or more of the cluster’s land parcel may receive priority in executing the project. In cases where multi-storey buildings exist on non-slum portions of the cluster, developers will be responsible for securing their development rights.
A high-level committee chaired by the Housing & Urban Development Department will supervise approvals. It will include the Housing Secretary, BMC Commissioner, SRA CEO, and a representative of the land-owning public authority—ensuring coordinated oversight of Mumbai’s next phase of slum redevelopment.
Source: The Free Press Journal
