Maharashtra Government Shields Pre-2011 Slums, Promises Rehabilitation for Eligible Residents

The Maharashtra government has announced that all slum dwellings built on government or forest land before January 1, 2011, will be protected, with eligible residents assured rehabilitation. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made the statement in the state Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

“No eligible resident living in a slum before January 1, 2011, will be rendered homeless. The government is fully committed to protecting their housing rights,” Bawankule said. He added that many such settlements cannot be regularised at their current locations due to Development Control Regulations, environmentally sensitive zones, and forest protection norms, making rehabilitation the only feasible option.

The minister announced that a statewide biometric and physical survey of all eligible residents, including those in Mumbai and its suburbs, will be completed within the next three months. This survey aims to identify and enumerate residents who qualify for rehabilitation under the policy.

The decision comes amid ongoing concerns over the housing rights of slum dwellers, particularly in urban areas where land is scarce and subject to multiple regulatory frameworks. The government’s move seeks to balance development needs with the constitutional right to shelter.

Bawankule emphasised that the survey would be conducted transparently and that eligible residents need not fear eviction. The state government is working with relevant agencies to ensure a smooth process.