The Bombay High Court has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating state of urban planning in Mumbai, describing the situation as “abysmal” while undertaking a detailed review of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. The court observed that years of ineffective planning and poor execution have significantly contributed to the growing number of disputes linked to slum redevelopment projects in the city.
The remarks were made during proceedings related to a judicial audit of the 1971 legislation, which governs slum rehabilitation and redevelopment in Maharashtra. The review follows earlier observations by the Supreme Court, which had pointed out the large number of cases arising under the law and pending before the Bombay High Court.
To address the issue, a special bench headed by Justice G.S. Kulkarni has been constituted to examine the functioning of the statute and identify loopholes affecting its implementation. The bench is expected to study recurring problems such as stalled redevelopment projects, conflicts between developers and residents, delays in rehabilitation, and shortcomings in administrative oversight.
The judiciary also emphasised that welfare legislation must be regularly evaluated to ensure that it continues to serve its intended purpose. The Supreme Court had earlier underscored the responsibility of the executive to monitor the effectiveness of laws and take corrective measures wherever implementation failures become evident.
The ongoing exercise is likely to have wider implications for Mumbai’s redevelopment framework, particularly in a city where housing pressures and slum rehabilitation remain major governance challenges. Observers believe the audit may pave the way for policy reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in redevelopment projects across Maharashtra.
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