Slum-free Mumbai by 2015, says BMC

To make Mumbai slum-free, the civic body has decided to remove all unauthorised hutments by 2015 and rehabilitate the eligible slums dwellers in houses made for the project affected people (PAP).  

“By the end of March, 1,878 hutments along the water pipelines will be removed and the remaining unauthorised slums will be demolished in the next four years. We will rehabilitate the eligible slum dwellers in the 1,500 houses for PAPs given by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA),” said a senior civic official.   

The state government has approved BMC’s demand of utilising 4 FSI for constructions on its own land. “We have 41 acres of land at Dindoshi where the maximum houses for PAPs will be constructed,” the official added.    

The BMC now does not have to take permission from the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) to carry out rehabilitation projects. “If a project is being developed on the corporation’s land, then we do not need to seek SRA’s permission because of the recent modification in the Development Control Rules (3.11),” said the official.        

By March 2015, at least 15,789 hutments will be demolished. Chief secretary Ratanakar Gaikawad will monitor the drive in regular review meetings. Once the BMC successfully removes all illegal hutments adjoining the water pipelines, slums on footpaths and arterials roads will be demolished. 

“This will give ample space to pedestrians. We will set up an effective mechanism to prevent illegal slum dwellers from occupying public spaces. People should help BMC make Mumbai a slum-free and better city,” said standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale.