The Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971, is set to undergo changes aimed at expediting slum rehabilitation projects in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The proposed reduction in the lock-in period from 10 years to seven years is expected to streamline the process of obtaining consent from slum dwellers and accelerate development. With around 302 SRA schemes in these cities, and about 150 pending, the revised guidelines aim to boost project progress.
The proposed changes to the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 aim to expedite pending slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) projects in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The bill, tabled during the monsoon session of the State Assembly, suggests reducing the lock-in period for SRA projects from 10 years to seven years. While some stakeholders demanded a further reduction to three years, the state legal department objected, and the decision was made to fix it at seven years. The reduction in the lock-in period is expected to streamline the process of obtaining consent from slum dwellers for projects in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, thereby accelerating the pace of development. Currently, there are around 302 SRA schemes in these cities, with approximately 150 of them still pending. Officials believe that various measures implemented by state authorities have already had a positive impact on promoting SRA projects. For example, increasing the height of buildings has proven effective. The new changes to the legislation are expected to further facilitate the progress of these schemes. The Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act has been under review since 2018, with the aim of enhancing project delivery. The authorities have provided extensions to the project completion timeframe, and the revised guidelines grant the SRA the power to impose penalties or withdraw projects from developers who fail to meet the designated deadlines. In March, a proposal to reduce the lock-in period was approved by the state cabinet, signalling a commitment to expediting the rehabilitation process. While transparency and combating corruption are crucial considerations, proponents argue that the reduction in the lock-in period is a step in the right direction to expedite the much-needed redevelopment of slum areas. They assert that by increasing the diligence and willingness of staff involved in these projects and ensuring the appointment of officials with knowledge of the revenue department and a sense of social justice, the SRA can effectively address these challenges. In summary, the proposed changes to the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 seek to reduce the lock-in period for SRA projects in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad from 10 years to seven years. While there are contrasting opinions on the matter, proponents argue that the reduction will help accelerate the rehabilitation process, while those advocating for transparency and addressing corruption emphasize the need to resolve these issues for the scheme to succeed.
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