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Residents of Mumbai’s gaothan settlements have sought a dedicated INR 300 crore development fund and classification of their homes under MHADA to address long-standing infrastructure gaps and repair needs. The Mumbai Gaothan Panchayat has raised concerns over decades of limited civic funding, highlighting that only 52 of the city’s 189 recognised gaothans are included in the Development Plan 2034. The demand includes access to institutional funding for structural repairs, improved civic infrastructure, and a fast-tracked approval mechanism. Residents argue that current heritage-linked restrictions and lack of financial support have made maintenance of ageing homes increasingly difficult, raising concerns around safety, liveability, and potential displacement.
Residents of Mumbai’s gaothan settlements have approached the state government seeking a dedicated development fund of INR 300 crore and formal classification of their homes under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) framework to address infrastructure deficiencies and structural deterioration. Advertisement
The demand was raised earlier this week by the Mumbai Gaothan Panchayat, which represents traditional village settlements within the city. These areas, often referred to as gaothans, have witnessed limited public investment over several decades, resulting in ageing housing stock and inadequate civic infrastructure.
According to the Panchayat, only 52 of the 189 recognised gaothans in Mumbai have been included in the Development Plan (DP) 2034, leaving a majority of these settlements outside formal planning and funding mechanisms. This gap has restricted access to municipal resources and delayed infrastructure upgrades across large parts of these neighbourhoods.
Residents have requested that gaothan houses be classified as MHADA “cessed” buildings, a category typically applied to structures built before 1940 that qualify for state-supported structural repairs and redevelopment assistance. Inclusion under this framework would allow access to institutional funding and structured repair mechanisms, reducing the financial burden currently borne by individual homeowners.
The Panchayat also proposed the creation of a joint monitoring committee involving the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to oversee allocation and utilisation of funds. It further recommended establishing a dedicated system to fast-track approvals for repair and redevelopment works in gaothan areas.
Concerns were also raised regarding the scale of current funding allocations. While the demand stands at INR 300 crore, the BMC has reportedly earmarked only INR 5 crore for gaothan development in its recent budget, which residents described as insufficient to address the extent of infrastructure requirements.
Stakeholders highlighted that many gaothan settlements are categorised as heritage precincts, which imposes restrictions on redevelopment and structural modifications. These constraints, combined with limited financial assistance, have made it difficult for residents to maintain buildings that are often several decades old.
Infrastructure challenges extend beyond housing conditions. Residents flagged issues related to waterlogging, sewage systems, and water supply, indicating that basic civic services remain inadequate in several locations. The lack of coordinated planning and investment has further compounded these challenges.
Under existing MHADA provisions, cessed buildings are eligible for reconstruction support and financial assistance for structural repairs. Extending similar benefits to gaothan properties is expected to create a more structured approach to maintenance and conservation, while addressing safety concerns associated with ageing structures.
The Mumbai Gaothan Panchayat is scheduled to present its proposals to state authorities, including provisions for reclassification, funding allocation, and policy support. The demands reflect broader concerns around integrating traditional settlements into the city’s formal planning framework while ensuring access to basic infrastructure and financial assistance.
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