Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Mumbai Redevelopment Still Slow Despite Policy Reforms
Mumbai has many old buildings that may need to be rebuilt.
The government has introduced rules intended to make redevelopment easier and clearer.
But experts say projects are still not moving quickly enough.
They say residents need better information and builders need to be held accountable.
Ramesh Prabhu wants stronger checks, such as audits and guarantees that help protect residents.
Vinod Sampat says housing groups may need to seek court help to demand accountability.
Anuj Mehta believes the reforms could help projects move faster and improve cooperation.
Experts also say the city may need better water, sewer and firefighting systems as more buildings are built.
Whether the changes work will depend on how well they are put into practice.
Policy reforms aim to streamline approvals, support self-redevelopment and improve project viability, but redevelopment has not accelerated as expected.
Experts cite governance gaps, limited transparency, weak developer accountability, resident concerns and disputes over project delivery.
Ramesh Prabhu called for e-tendering, approved developers, penalties for undisclosed benefits, escrow safeguards, bank guarantees, disclosures and audits.
Advocate Vinod Sampat said recent government notices seek greater transparency but do not establish builder accountability, and urged housing groups to pursue legal remedies.
Dhuleva Group director Anuj Mehta said reforms could speed projects and build trust, while experts also stressed upgrading civic infrastructure to support new high-rises.
- Who
- Mumbai residents and housing societies, developers, policymakers and redevelopment experts.
- What
- Redevelopment in Mumbai remains slower than expected despite policy reforms, with experts calling for stronger transparency and builder accountability.
- When
- The article discusses recent reforms and the redevelopment situation over the past year.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- Experts say governance gaps, limited transparency, weak accountability and disputes are hindering progress; the reforms aim to address long-standing challenges.
Reforms need stronger safeguards
Reforms could accelerate redevelopment
Whether recent reforms are sufficient
Reforms need stronger safeguards
Ramesh Prabhu and Vinod Sampat say governance and accountability gaps remain, and call for stronger oversight and protections for residents.
Reforms could accelerate redevelopment
Anuj Mehta says reforms bring greater clarity, transparency and streamlined processes that could enable faster project execution.
Outlook for redevelopment
Reforms need stronger safeguards
The article reports that redevelopment has not picked up the pace needed, with disputes and low resident confidence among the cited obstacles.
Reforms could accelerate redevelopment
Mehta says improved governance and growing acceptance of self-redevelopment could build trust and cooperation among residents, developers and other parties.
- Issue
- Redevelopment has not picked up pace as expected despite policy changes.
- Policy aims
- Streamline approvals, simplify self-redevelopment and make projects more financially viable.
- Concerns raised
- Governance, transparency, developer accountability, resident confidence and delivery disputes.
- Safeguards proposed by Ramesh Prabhu
- E-tendering, approved developers, statutory penalties, escrow compliance, bank guarantees, quarterly disclosures and independent audits.
- Legal remedy suggested
- Vinod Sampat urged housing federations to file writ petitions seeking transparency and accountability.
- Infrastructure needs
- Experts highlighted sewage lines, water distribution and firefighting equipment as needs alongside redevelopment.