Maharashtra Government Announces Slum Redevelopment and Monitoring Initiative in Mumbai

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the “Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Public Welfare Campaign” with the aim of making Mumbai slum-free. The campaign focuses on accelerating slum redevelopment while using advanced “Netram” technology to prevent the formation of new slums. He stated that implementing this initiative during the birth centenary year of Balasaheb Thackeray is a tribute to his vision.

The state government believes this decision will significantly boost the slum redevelopment process in Mumbai and help provide safer, better-equipped housing to residents. The campaign reflects a strong commitment to achieving a slum-free Mumbai.

The campaign will target clusters with at least 50 acres of land and more than 51% slum area. The Slum Cluster Redevelopment Scheme will be implemented through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to enable redevelopment on large private, government, and semi-government lands. A biometric survey of slum residents will be conducted, followed by agreements with agencies like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, MMRDA, and MHADA.

Under the rehabilitation scheme, beneficiaries will now receive 300 sq. ft. flats, an upgrade from the earlier sizes of 180, 225, and 269 sq. ft. Existing projects will also be upgraded and redeveloped accordingly.

The campaign will make extensive use of Netram technology, which uses satellite data, GIS systems, and digital tools to monitor and prevent the creation of new slums. High-resolution satellite images will be used regularly to track unauthorised constructions.

Through a portal developed by BISAG-N, accurate slum data will be collected and shared with relevant authorities. A dedicated implementation cell has been set up, and agencies have been instructed to carry out inspections and remove illegal constructions promptly.

Satellite images will be analysed every four months to ensure swift action against new encroachments.

As redevelopment projects will now include taller buildings, the existing maintenance fee of ₹40,000 per flat is considered insufficient. A revised structure has been proposed:

• INR 1 lakh for buildings up to 70 meters
• INR 2 lakh for buildings between 70–120 meters
• INR 3 lakh for buildings above 120 meters

To implement this, amendments to the Development Control and Promotion Rules (DCPR) 2034 have been initiated.

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