The Bombay High Court expressed significant concerns on Friday about the substandard construction quality of slum redevelopment buildings in Mumbai, labeling them as “vertical slums” due to their congested and unhealthy living conditions.
Justices G S Kulkarni and Somasekhar Sunderesan of the division bench criticized the dense layout of these buildings, which lack essential elements such as adequate space, light, and ventilation. “We are not going to appreciate these vertical slums. The buildings constructed are so congested—no light, no space, no sunlight, and no ventilation. This will cause health problems. They (slum dwellers) are better off on grounds encroaching,” the court articulated.
The bench underscored that such inadequate housing compromises the constitutional right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, describing the situation as a severe issue.
The high court’s comments came during a session dedicated to a “performance audit” of the Maharashtra Slum Area (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act. This audit was initiated following directives from the Supreme Court, which had previously expressed its own concerns about the act’s effectiveness.
Highlighting the need for robust implementation of the act, the bench pointed out successful public housing projects in foreign countries as models to emulate. They also noted the continual influx of migrant workers into the city, emphasizing that a proactive approach is necessary rather than a passive wait-and-watch policy. “Migrant workers come in… work is available, pay is available, but no place to stay. Then they stay in slums. We need to understand that this won’t stop. It may only increase,” the judges remarked.
The court has called for all parties involved to submit their suggestions on how to address these issues effectively. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is set to review these suggestions.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on October 15, as the high court continues to address the gridlocked welfare legislation that has left more than 1,600 related cases pending.
