Maharashtra To Rehabilitate Pre-2011 Slum Dwellers

The Maharashtra government has announced plans to provide protection to all slum dwellings constructed before January 1, 2011, on government, forest, and lands owned by various Central and state government authorities.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made the announcement in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, stating that eligible residents would be rehabilitated through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), MHADA, CIDCO, or other housing schemes.

The state will undertake a comprehensive survey of all such settlements across Mumbai, its suburbs, and the rest of Maharashtra within the next three months to identify eligible beneficiaries and prepare a rehabilitation plan.

The policy has already received the approval of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state Cabinet, and its implementation has begun on a priority basis.

Large-scale settlements have come up over the years on mangrove areas, forest land, revenue land, nazul land, and CIDCO-owned land, particularly in Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban district, and the Konkan region.

However, due to Development Control Regulations, environmental restrictions, and forest conservation laws, it is not feasible to regularize many of these structures at their existing locations.

To address the issue, the government has constituted a high-level committee under the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, which includes the Collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts.

The committee has already commenced the survey process, which will assess the extent of eligible settlements and identify cases where in-situ regularization is not possible.

Biometric and physical verification of residents will be completed within three months, following which the government will prepare a comprehensive master plan for rehabilitation.

The plan will identify suitable locations and housing schemes for relocating eligible residents who cannot be accommodated at their present sites due to environmental or technical constraints.

The rehabilitation will be carried out through agencies such as the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), MHADA, and CIDCO, depending on the location and nature of each project.

The government will also explore other housing schemes wherever necessary to ensure eligible residents receive permanent housing.

The move is expected to bring relief to thousands of slum dwellers who have been living in uncertainty for years.

The Maharashtra government's decision to rehabilitate pre-2011 slum dwellers is a significant step towards addressing the state's housing crisis.

With the implementation of this policy, the government aims to provide a better life for the residents of these slums, while also ensuring that environmental and technical constraints are taken into account.

This move is likely to have a positive impact on the lives of many people in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, where the problem of slums is most pronounced.

The success of this initiative will depend on the effective implementation of the rehabilitation plan and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved.

Overall, the Maharashtra government's decision to rehabilitate pre-2011 slum dwellers is a welcome move that is expected to bring significant benefits to the state's most vulnerable populations.