In a significant move to address urban housing challenges, the Maharashtra government has pledged to protect all slum dwellings established before January 1, 2011, located on government or forest lands. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made this landmark announcement in the Legislative Assembly, emphasizing the state's commitment to the housing rights of eligible residents.

The Challenge of Regularization

While the intent is to provide security, the Minister noted that many settlements cannot be regularized at their current sites due to stringent Development Control Regulations (DCR), environmentally sensitive zones, and forest protection norms. Consequently, the government is pivoting towards a robust rehabilitation model to ensure that those living in ecologically sensitive or restricted zones are not displaced without alternatives.

Comprehensive Survey and Verification

To ensure that benefits reach only the legitimate beneficiaries, the state will launch a statewide biometric and physical survey within the next three months. This survey will cover Mumbai, its suburbs, and other critical regions. This dual-verification method aims to eliminate discrepancies and provide a foolproof database for the upcoming rehabilitation master plan.

Strategic Implementation and Oversight

A high-level committee, headed by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, has been established to oversee the complexities of rehabilitation in the Mumbai and Konkan regions, where slums often overlap with mangrove, revenue, Nazul, and CIDCO lands. The committee includes the Collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts. Following the survey, a comprehensive master plan will be drafted to relocate ineligible residents to MHADA, CIDCO, or Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects. The policy, approved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is being implemented on a 'war footing'.