The judgment, delivered on February 11, 2026, by Justices G.S. Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe in Writ Petition No. 1612 of 2024 (Om Vishwashanti CHS (Proposed) & Okhawala Shelter, Builders & Developers vs. Mumbai Municipal Corporation & Ors.), upholds the Additional Municipal Commissioner’s order dated January 10, 2024. This order cancelled the NOC dated December 31, 2021, originally issued by BMC’s Estate Department to facilitate a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme on plot bearing CTS No. 558B (and sub-divisions) in Malad East.

Background of the Case

The land in question, owned entirely by the BMC, is reserved under the Development Plan for public purposes: a Municipal Ward Office, Disaster Management Facility, Cyclone Shelter Centre, and an existing Municipal Chowky. It is also affected by road widening setbacks.

Around 134 slum structures exist on the plot. In 2016, the slum dwellers formed the proposed Om Vishwashanti Cooperative Housing Society (through chief promoter Sadhashiv Nanekar) and appointed Okhawala Shelter, Builders & Developers as the implementing agency via a development agreement and power of attorney.

The society, through the developer, proposed a Slum Rehabilitation Scheme under Regulation 33(10) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034 (DCPR 2034). After obtaining necessary clearances, the SRA issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on November 11, 2022, conditional on various approvals — including concurrence from BMC departments for the public amenity building (minimum 4,705 sqm built-up area in one structure, floor plate of at least 1,300 sqm per floor, separate from rehab tenements for fire safety and public access reasons).

Despite the LOI, the developer failed to submit feasible or acceptable revised plans for over a year. BMC officials rejected initial proposals in meetings (February and April 2023) for inadequate design: narrow building, single staircase, improper location, insufficient open spaces, parking, ventilation, and security risks for a public administrative building serving ~6 lakh residents in the newly split P/East Ward.

After a show-cause notice and hearing, the Additional Municipal Commissioner cancelled the NOC on January 10, 2024, directing the SRA to record the cancellation and allowing BMC to construct the ward office and rehabilitate eligible slum dwellers directly under its prevailing policy — all at BMC’s expense.

The petitioners challenged this in the High Court. An earlier single-judge bench dismissed the petition in June 2025 on grounds of alternate remedies and disputed facts, but the Supreme Court (November 28, 2025) modified that order and remanded the matter for merits review. The Division Bench, after fresh hearings, found no infirmity in BMC’s decision.

Key Observations by the High Court

• BMC, as the landowner, holds paramount rights over the reserved public plot — superior to those of slum dwellers or private developers.
• The NOC and LOI were conditional; the developer breached key obligations (e.g., conditions 33 and 53 requiring BMC departmental approvals for the public building).
• The developer’s lackadaisical attitude and failure to provide viable plans for over a year justified cancellation.
• Public interest demands urgent construction of the P/East Ward Office near Malad East station — cannot be delayed by developer non-compliance.
• The court cited precedents affirming landowner priority in slum redevelopment on public land (e.g., Indian Cork Mills, Bishop John Rodrigues, Tarabai Nagar, Nesco Ltd.).

The ruling effectively ends the private developer’s role. BMC will now rehabilitate eligible slum dwellers (as per earlier Annexure-II: 79 eligible, 34 ineligible) directly, funding the rehab tenements and public amenities from its own resources — bypassing the usual SRA private-developer model (where sale components subsidize rehab).

This outcome aligns with BMC’s broader efforts to redevelop slums on its land (e.g., recent EOIs for 64 schemes, though most involve appointing developers). While direct municipal execution remains rare — given funding constraints and preference for public-private partnerships — the judgment enables BMC to step in when developers default on reserved amenity obligations.

BMC officials have not yet commented on timelines or exact modalities, but the decision underscores the civic body’s authority to prioritize public infrastructure alongside humane rehabilitation.

Also Read: BMC issues First Air Pollution Notice to a Developer

The post BMC Takes Over Slum Rehabilitation Project in Malad East After High Court Upholds Cancellation of Private Developer’s NOC appeared first on Square Feat India.

The move follows approval by the state cabinet and Chief Minister on October 14, 2025, and the official government order issued by Chandrashekhar Taware, Deputy Secretary, Housing Department, on November 13, 2025.

A Step Toward a Slum-Free Mumbai

The new scheme aims to bring all contiguous slum areas exceeding 50 acres under a single redevelopment plan, thereby addressing fragmented and delayed rehabilitation efforts that have plagued Mumbai’s slum redevelopment model for years.

According to the government resolution, these clusters may include slum pockets, old chawls, unsafe tenanted buildings, and even government or institutional lands — without restrictions on land ownership type.

SRA to Act as Nodal Agency

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), Mumbai, will serve as the nodal agency for identifying, demarcating, and executing cluster projects.
Each cluster must have at least 51% slum occupation within the total area.

Once the cluster is approved, no separate NOC (No Objection Certificate) will be required from land-owning authorities, significantly cutting red tape and accelerating project initiation.

High-Power Committee to Vet Projects

A High-Power Committee (HPC) will vet and approve proposed clusters before they are sanctioned under Section 3K of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971.

Committee Composition:

• Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary (Housing) – Chairperson
• Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary (Urban Development-I) – Member
• Commissioner, BMC – Member
• CEO, SRA – Member Secretary
• Representative of concerned land-owning authority – Member

Phase-Wise Redevelopment and Tenant Protections

The scheme allows phase-wise redevelopment, ensuring that rehabilitation, rent payment, and construction progress occur simultaneously.
Developers will be required to provide rent compensation with post-dated cheques to eligible slum dwellers during construction.

Every rehabilitation building must include a Community Hall of 2% built-up area or 200 sq. ft. per building, whichever is higher, while at least 12% of total slum area must be kept as open space — reducible to 8% in constrained plots with HPC approval.

Inclusion of CRZ and Non-Slum Structures

In a notable inclusion, slums in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-I and CRZ-II) will also be eligible for redevelopment under this scheme, subject to environmental clearance.
Rehabilitation may take place in-situ or within a 5 km radius.

The cluster may also include non-slum structures like industrial or commercial units. Such structures can be redeveloped proportionately, and private developers can be appointed through joint ventures, tenders, or direct nomination if they already control over 40% of the land in the cluster.

Flexibility for Landowners and Government Lands

Private landowners may voluntarily join the scheme and will receive compensatory FSI or TDR in return.
If they refuse participation, land acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 can be undertaken, with costs borne by the developer.

Government and institutional leasehold lands will automatically be included, ensuring rehabilitation for lessees and occupants.

FSI and Development Incentives

Developers will receive global FSI on a pro-rata basis depending on project composition.
Additional saleable FSI may be granted for constructing extra tenements for Project Affected Persons (PAPs).

If reserved plots are utilized for redevelopment, the landowner will be compensated with 4 FSI as TDR or equivalent in-situ FSI as per SRA rules.

Implementation and Oversight

All cluster projects will undergo phase-wise scrutiny by the HPC, and the SRA CEO will have powers to levy penalties for project delays.
The state government will amend DCPR 2034 regulations as required to integrate this new framework.

A Systemic Reform for Mumbai’s Urban Landscape

Officials said the new framework is expected to replace fragmented SRA projects with integrated urban redevelopment, helping prevent project delays and ensuring livable, planned communities.

“This is the most ambitious step in three decades of slum rehabilitation policy,” said a senior housing department official. “By focusing on large clusters, the scheme ensures faster clearance of unsafe zones and better infrastructure outcomes.”

Also Read: Supreme Court Clears Redevelopment of Bharat Nagar Slum in Bandra

The post Government Launches Slum Cluster Scheme: 50+ Acre Projects Under SRA, No Slum Dweller Consent Required appeared first on Square Feat India.

More than 50% of Mumbai’s population continues to live in slums or unstructured housing — a reality that defines both the city’s urban challenge and its development potential. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), established to transform this landscape, has now launched a technology-driven reform agenda aimed at fast-tracking redevelopment projects, improving transparency, and restoring confidence among developers and slum dwellers alike.

According to official estimates, Mumbai has more than 2,000 notified slum clusters spread across nearly 9,000 acres, with over 10 lakh slum structures. The scale and complexity of rehabilitation make this digital transformation a major step toward creating a slum-free Mumbai.

Tech-powered transformation of SRA

Under the leadership of Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, CEO of SRA, the authority unveiled a series of digital initiatives designed to make project approvals faster, transparent, and data-secure.

Among the highlights:

• A Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC)-approved multilingual website, accessible in over 25 languages, for easier access to information.
• An integrated online module with multiple access layers for different users — officers, architects, developers, and the general public — ensuring accountability.
• Blockchain technology to store and secure approval records, making tampering nearly impossible.
• Chatbots and digital dashboards to help slum residents and developers track applications in real time.
• A goal to map every slum structure in Mumbai by end-2025, creating a unified digital database.

Dr. Kalyankar said his team is also implementing Auto-DCR (Digital Construction Permissions) and time-bound eviction programs to remove non-cooperative structures within 45 days. “We are driven by one mission — to make Mumbai slum-free through transparency, technology, and teamwork,” he said.

Developer bodies surprised by SRA’s digital strides

The meeting, attended by senior representatives from CREDAI-MCHI, NAREDCO, BDA, and PEATA, began as a request for “ease of doing business” but turned into what several termed “a pleasant surprise.”

Sukhraj Nahar, President, CREDAI-MCHI, said:

“My company had never ventured into slum rehabilitation projects before, largely because of doubts about their viability. But after today’s presentation, I have a completely different perspective. The level of digitisation and the positive, development-oriented approach of SRA have created the right environment for slum redevelopment to succeed.”

Rushi Mehta, Secretary, CREDAI-MCHI, called the data-integration plan “a game changer.”

“By collating Aadhaar, PAN, electoral rolls, and electricity bills under one software, SRA can now generate Annexure-2 approvals in a single click — a process that earlier took 6 to 9 months. Linking Aadhaar to each family’s permanent home ensures only genuine beneficiaries receive homes and prevents multiple claims,” he said.

Rajan Bandelkar, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO, praised the SRA’s proactive approach:

“Under Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar’s leadership, the SRA is setting a new benchmark in governance and efficiency. These advanced digital systems will accelerate project approvals and restore developers’ confidence in slum rehabilitation schemes. With renewed momentum and accountability, Mumbai can truly move toward a slum-free future.”

Abhay Chandak, Vice President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, commended the new SOPs that allow demolition of non-cooperative structures within 45 days.

“In Worli, around 1,000 illegal structures were cleared within a month — actual demolition in just three days. This shows SRA’s renewed determination to create an environment where developers can execute projects without obstruction,” he said.

Vikram Mehta, President, Builders’ Association of India (BDA), said that the reforms also tackle new encroachments:

“It’s equally important to stop new slum constructions as it is to rehabilitate existing ones. The new encroachment-tracking cell uses satellite data to detect and flag new structures for immediate action. That’s a huge leap forward.”

Why these reforms matter

• For slum residents: Faster, more transparent approvals mean quicker movement from unsafe informal settlements to formal homes. Linking data ensures fairness and prevents fraud.
• For developers: The new digital ecosystem cuts paperwork, increases predictability, and reduces risk — encouraging more developers to take up rehabilitation projects.
• For Mumbai: Clearing and rebuilding slum clusters will improve infrastructure, reduce disaster risk, and bring large swathes of urban land into productive use.

Dr. Kalyankar emphasized that the reforms are not just about technology but about trust.

“SRA 2.0 is about speed, transparency, and accountability. We want every slum dweller to feel that their home, dignity, and future are at the heart of what we do,” he said.

Toward a slum-free Mumbai

For years, the SRA has faced criticism over slow progress — only a fraction of approved schemes have reached completion. But with the integration of digital processes, real-time monitoring, and strict timelines, stakeholders believe this could mark a genuine turning point.

The collaboration between SRA and major real-estate bodies signals a shared intent to transform the slum landscape of Mumbai into a more equitable, sustainable, and efficient urban environment. As NAREDCO’s Rajan Bandelkar summed it up — “With this digital leap, we are not just building houses; we are rebuilding trust.”

Also Read: Financial Institutions To Redevelop Stuck SRA projects

The post SRA Unveils Technology-Driven Reforms to Accelerate Slum Rehabilitation Across Mumbai appeared first on Square Feat India.

The newly allocated salt pan lands will serve a dual purpose: accommodating non-eligible residents from Dharavi and supporting the construction of new residential units. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the DRP will oversee the development, which includes building 350 square feet tenements for eligible Dharavi residents and 300 square feet units for those who are ineligible under the current scheme.

Construction on these lands will commence in tandem with the development of rehabilitation units for eligible Dharavi residents. However, progress has faced setbacks, including delays caused by the Customs Department’s use of a portion of the land at Wadala. As a result, only 256 acres are currently available for transfer, while a broader analysis by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) identifies 40 salt pan lands totaling 5,221 acres across the city and suburbs.

The Maharashtra government will now be responsible for transferring the lands to the DRP and facilitating the construction of housing units. The state’s housing department estimates that between 300,000 to 400,000 residents will need to be relocated to rental housing as part of the redevelopment process. An ongoing survey aims to identify eligible residents, with preliminary results indicating that around 11,000 households have been assessed so far. The survey is expected to be completed by March next year, potentially accelerating the construction timeline.

Also Read: Dharavi Redevelopment Construction Set to Begin Within Six Months

Despite the progress, the relocation strategy has faced resistance, particularly from local communities in Mulund and Kurla. This opposition has been exacerbated by recent political shifts in Mumbai’s North East parliamentary constituency. Balancing development goals with resident concerns will be crucial for the successful implementation of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

Overall, while the Dharavi Redevelopment Project is set to play a key role in addressing Mumbai’s housing needs, overcoming logistical challenges and community opposition will be essential to achieving its objectives.

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