Mumbai Real Estate Relief: ‘Pagdi’ Buildings and Slum Redevelopment to Benefit Thousands

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has unveiled a series of significant housing reliefs for Mumbai, aimed at providing much-needed support to home seekers and slum dwellers. The announcements, made in the Upper House of the state legislature, include the extension of the Occupancy Certificate (OC) amnesty scheme and the launch of large-scale slum redevelopment projects.

In the first phase, 17 major locations across Mumbai have been selected for slum redevelopment, including Antop Hill, Krishna Nagar, Ketkipada (Borivali), Gopikrishna Nagar (Dahisar), Oshiwara, Govandi, Chitta Camp (Trombay), Chembur, Tagore Nagar (Vikhroli), Vikhroli Parksite, and Bhandup. This initiative is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of slum dwellers in the city.

Shinde emphasized that the slum redevelopment schemes will now be implemented collectively on private, government, or semi-government lands measuring 50 acres or more. The state will collaborate with various government bodies, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), to ensure the successful execution of these projects.

The deputy CM also announced the extension of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) Amnesty Scheme until December 31, 2026. This scheme is designed to resolve technical difficulties faced by citizens in the sale, purchase, or transfer of slum structures. Additionally, the number of ‘Apex Grievance Redressal Committees’ has been increased to ensure quicker resolution of complaints.

Furthermore, the government has extended the OC amnesty scheme of MHADA by one more year and introduced a new scheme for houses built by municipal employees on BMC's leased plots. These measures are expected to streamline the process of obtaining occupancy certificates and reduce the bureaucratic hurdles faced by residents.

Speaking in the legislative council, Shinde highlighted the importance of these announcements, which come ahead of elections to civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, scheduled to be completed before January 31 next year. The deputy CM stressed that these initiatives will not only benefit the current residents but also contribute to the overall urban development of Mumbai, transforming its landscape into a more well-planned and inclusive city.

The ‘Pagdi’ system, a traditional tenancy rental model, will also be redeveloped under the new regulatory framework. This system, which is prevalent in certain areas of Mumbai, involves long-term tenancy arrangements that often lack formal documentation and legal recognition. The redeveloped ‘Pagdi’ buildings will provide better living conditions and legal security to the tenants.

Overall, these housing reliefs and redevelopment projects are expected to have a significant positive impact on the lives of Mumbai's residents, particularly those living in slums and informal settlements. The government's efforts to streamline the process of obtaining occupancy certificates and addressing the challenges faced by slum dwellers are commendable steps towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable urban environment.