Massive PAP Housing Push Approved as Infrastructure Delays

A major rehabilitation drive for project-affected persons (PAPs) in Mumbai has been set into motion, with approval granted for the construction of 34,329 housing units across the city’s 26 administrative wards. The initiative has been designed to address long-pending relocation concerns that have reportedly been hindering key infrastructure projects. It has been stated that between 5,000 and 10,000 tenements are planned per ward, with approximately 1,500 homes under Phase I expected to be handed over by March 2026. The remaining units are to be distributed in a phased manner over the next two to five years.

The rehabilitation effort has been linked closely with infrastructure progress. Severe traffic congestion has been attributed to misaligned road networks and encroachments along drainage channels, which have reportedly delayed road-widening and improvement works. It has been observed that reluctance among certain PAP families to relocate has further complicated the timely execution of civic projects. The matter has been deliberated upon in the Improvement Committee, where detailed clarifications were sought from the administration.

Questions have been raised by elected representatives regarding the total number of PAPs awaiting housing, the number already accommodated, and the timeline for upcoming allotments. Allegations concerning irregularities in Adjustment Reservation schemes have also been voiced, with it being claimed that flats intended for PAPs were being rented or transferred improperly. Concerns about transparency and accountability have consequently been highlighted.

In response, it has been conveyed by civic officials that communication would be initiated with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to obtain comprehensive data on PAP housing. It has also been stated that a designated oversight committee reviews PAP matters every quarter.

Financial commitments for the programme have been significantly expanded. An allocation of Rs. 620.63 crore has been made in the 2025–26 budget, while Rs. 890 crore has been earmarked for 2026–27. These funds have been intended to ensure that rehabilitation progresses in tandem with infrastructure development, thereby enabling civic projects to be completed without prolonged delays.