Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, declared in the Legislative Assembly that all houses (slum structures) constructed before January 1, 2011, on state government, forest department, and central and state government lands will receive full legal safeguarding. The residents will undergo appropriate rehabilitation through entities like the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and MHADA. A comprehensive survey of all inhabitants residing on such lands, including in Mumbai suburban district, will be finalized within the next three months.
Bawankule mentioned that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sanctioned this policy during a cabinet meeting, with immediate implementation initiated statewide. Noting the emergence of extensive housing settlements on various lands like mangroves, forests, revenue plots, and CIDCO properties in Mumbai and the Konkan region, Bawankule highlighted the challenges in regularizing these houses due to development plan reservations and environmental regulations. To address this, a specialized committee led by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner has been established, with the survey process already underway.
In response to suggestions from public representatives, the Minister confirmed that a thorough biometric and physical survey of all residents on the concerned lands will be concluded within three months. For areas posing constraints to regularizing housing, a detailed master plan will be devised to determine suitable accommodations under MHADA, CIDCO, or SRA projects. Bawankule underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every eligible resident residing in these areas before January 1, 2011, receives proper housing support.
