Relief for Migrants from Beyond — Affordable Rental Housing Plan Announced by Devendra Fadnavis
Relief for Migrants from Beyond — Affordable Rental Housing Plan Announced by Devendra Fadnavis
People moving to Mumbai in search of better opportunities may soon find it easier to secure a place to live. In a significant step aimed at addressing the city’s housing challenges, the Mahayuti government has decided to introduce an affordable rental housing system for those arriving from other states and cities for work or business.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed officials to design and implement a well-organized framework that ensures access to reasonably priced rental homes. Alongside this, he has also called for the development of a dedicated online portal that will simplify the process for citizens looking for rental accommodation.
The decision was discussed in detail during a high-level meeting held at the Sahyadri State Guest House, where Maharashtra’s rental housing policy was reviewed. During the meeting, Fadnavis emphasized that major cities like Mumbai must be equipped with a system that supports the growing number of incoming workers and entrepreneurs. With demand for housing constantly rising, he stressed the importance of creating a structured mechanism that balances availability with actual needs.
He further directed that rental housing distribution should strictly follow demand-and-supply principles so that resources are utilized efficiently. All procedures related to housing demand must also be carried out transparently and in accordance with formal agreements, ensuring fairness for both tenants and landlords.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary (Housing) Aseem Kumar Gupta, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Principal Secretary (Home) Anup Kumar Singh, along with other key authorities.
Highlighting the need for better coordination, the Chief Minister noted that a streamlined system would reduce conflicts and confusion between property owners and tenants. To strengthen the legal and administrative framework, he proposed appointing a Deputy Commissioner of Police under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, to oversee related matters.
He also suggested that police resources should automatically scale with expanding jurisdictions, ensuring effective management and enforcement. A formal notification will be issued to designate the Deputy Commissioner of Police as the responsible authority in this regard.
To address the backlog of rental disputes and ensure faster resolutions, Fadnavis recommended the establishment of 100 special courts dedicated to such cases. Retired judges are expected to be appointed to handle these courts, and with necessary permissions, evening courts may also be introduced to speed up the process. In situations where infrastructure is limited, rented spaces will be utilized to run these courts.
