Today, On 16th July, The Bombay High Court articulated a vision for Mumbai to become a slum-free city. The court highlighted the need to focus on eliminating slums and providing better living conditions for all residents. This vision entails ensuring that everyone in the city has access to safe, dignified housing, ultimately improving the quality of life across Mumbai.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court emphasized the importance of envisioning a future where Mumbai is entirely free of slums. The court highlighted that efforts should be directed toward transforming the city into an urban space where no individual forced to live in substandard conditions.
Expressing concerns about the plight of slum dwellers who often become “victims at the hands of private developers.” the Bombay High Court stated on Friday,
“The vision should be to make Mumbai a slum-free city,”
A division bench comprising Justices G S Kulkarni and Somasekhar Sunderesan stressed the importance of a strict and effective implementation of the Maharashtra Slum Area Act.
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The court remarked,
“The vision is to transform Mumbai, an international city and the financial hub of our nation, into a slum-free city. Achieving this vision requires making the city entirely free of slums, and this Act plays a crucial role in that,”
The bench highlighted that the responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Act rests with the government, as they hold the mandate for its execution.
This bench was formed last week to conduct a “performance audit” of the Act, following directives from the Supreme Court in July, which had expressed concerns regarding its implementation.
On Friday, the high court also highlighted the necessity for sustainable development.
The bench instructed the government, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, and other involved parties to submit their affidavits, scheduling the next hearing for September 20.
The court inquired,
“Consider the future generations. What will the city look like in 100 years? Will it be dominated by skyscrapers alone? Don’t we need open spaces?”
Referencing London and other international cities that prioritize large open spaces and strictly regulate construction, the court stated,
“We need sustainable development. We cannot turn the city into a concrete jungle devoid of open spaces.”
The bench also voiced concerns over delays in slum redevelopment projects and the quality of the work being done.
The court remarked,
“We are deeply concerned about the conditions of slum dwellers. Just because someone is a slum dweller doesn’t mean they should be at the mercy of developers. They often receive very little in return. Slum dwellers are victims at the hands of developers who lack genuine intent and are driven by private interests,”
The bench further observed that in these scenarios, the government and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority often remain passive observers.
The court stressed the need for holding developers accountable to ensure that redevelopment is both timely and of high quality.
The bench asserted,
“There should not be a situation where a developer is appointed, yet the project stalls. That goes against the very purpose of the Act. Development must be robust and carried out professionally,”
The court emphasized that redevelopment projects should be constructed with top-notch quality, with careful attention to their upkeep and maintenance.
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The court remarked,
“It shouldn’t be the case that in 10 years, the building requires redevelopment again due to neglect… even as flats are being handed over,”
The bench added,
“It cannot simply turn into another slum. Residents deserve a decent living environment, in a decent home,”
The court also proposed that the government explore a rental housing or tenement policy for migrant workers.
The bench suggested,
“Do you think Mumbai can function without migrant workers? We should consider tenements or rental housing for them,”
On July 30, the Supreme Court directed the High Court to establish a bench to “initiate suo motu proceedings” to conduct a performance audit of the state’s slum redevelopment law, noting that,
“The welfare legislation for the poor is gridlocked, with over 1,600 cases related to the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act pending before the Bombay High Court.”
Through its statements, the Bombay High Court outlined a comprehensive vision for Mumbai’s future one that prioritizes sustainable and equitable development, with the ultimate goal of making the city slum-free.