Are Mumbai's Slum Rehabilitation Plans Truly Helping Residents Realise Their Dream of Affordable Housing?

In Mumbai, where nearly 40% of the population lives in slums, the quest for a home is a significant challenge. Despite government schemes and promises, many slum rehabilitation projects remain incomplete or mired in controversy. The Hari Nagar-Shivaji Nagar SRA Housing Society is a case in point.

The Long-Delayed Project in Jogeshwari

In 1994, a government scheme was proposed to provide free housing to 974 families in the slum enclave of Hari Nagar-Shivaji Nagar, Jogeshwari. Nearly three decades later, the project remains unfinished, with the case still pending in the Bombay High Court. Some people have shared their plight, explaining that although they were allotted a tenement, someone else has occupied it. They have filed complaints with the police and SRA.

Incomplete Promises and Allegations of Misconduct

Out of the original beneficiaries, 591 households were eventually given tenements in six housing blocks constructed by a private builder in exchange for extra development rights. Allegations of underhand deals between officials and the developer have emerged, while the slum has expanded to 1,572 units. Similar issues plague other slum areas in Mumbai, such as those near Sanjay Gandhi National Park and around the airport.

Dharavi: A Controversial Redevelopment

In Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slum clusters, locals oppose a redevelopment scheme awarded to a government-Adani group joint venture. Residents fear being relocated far from their current homes. Many have criticized the shift from piecemeal redevelopment to an integrated approach, arguing that government involvement would ensure better accountability and protect residents' rights.

Political Promises and Public Skepticism

Housing is a critical issue in Mumbai's elections. BJP Mumbai North candidate Piyush Goyal promised to make his constituency "slum-free" by developing salt pan lands for affordable housing. However, objections arose from the Mumbai North-East seat, where residents opposed relocating slum-dwellers to their area. Real estate interests often dominate the conversation, with suspicions of a nexus between politicians and developers inflating property rates and creating artificial shortages.

Historical Context and Current Challenges

The Shiv Sena-BJP government first announced a free slum rehabilitation scheme in 1997. Since then, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and private builders have developed 2.57 lakh tenements against a promise of 40 lakh. The demand-supply gap continues to widen as Mumbai's population grows. According to Pankaj Kapoor of Liases Foras Pvt Ltd, the city's linear growth has pushed affordable housing northward, driving prices up by 20-25% between 2002 and 2012.

The Future of Slum Rehabilitation in Mumbai

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis defended the cluster redevelopment model for Dharavi, citing the need for an integrated approach due to the area's dense population. Sitting Sena MP Rahul Shewale assured residents that no one would be relocated outside Dharavi. As the debate over housing and rehabilitation continues, its impact on Mumbai's political landscape remains significant.