Supreme Court Approves Bharat Nagar Slum Eviction In Bandra East
The Supreme Court has given its final approval to the redevelopment of the Bharat Nagar slum in Bandra East, clearing the path for a large-scale slum rehabilitation project. Dismissing the appeal from several slum dwellers who contested the redevelopment, the Court upheld the decision to evict occupants of over 2,600 slum structures.
These residents had challenged a December 2022 eviction notice issued by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), claiming that the land should not be classified as a slum, and thus, redevelopment should not proceed. The Supreme Court ruling, made on February 27, found no merit in the appeal, confirming the slum’s classification as a “censused slum.” It clarified that such slums are included under redevelopment schemes by law, meaning no separate notification was required for the project to move forward.
The residents had also argued that the area was part of a MHADA layout, making it ineligible for SRA’s slum redevelopment scheme. However, the Court ruled that, despite being part of the MHADA land, the area had evolved into a slum over time, justifying its development under the SRA’s guidelines. The ruling also highlighted that redevelopment was already at an advanced stage in some parts, with the majority of slum dwellers consenting to the new housing scheme.
The Court noted that halting the project now would disrupt the rehabilitation of many eligible residents and defeat the purpose of the redevelopment. The Bharat Nagar project, which began in 2010, is part of the larger slum redevelopment initiative under the SRA. The eviction order follows years of legal battles between residents and the authorities, with occupants expressing concerns over their future living arrangements.
Despite the eviction being upheld, the redevelopment project is seen as a crucial step in addressing the housing crisis in Mumbai’s urban slums while improving living conditions for thousands of families.
