The Bombay High Court has strongly criticized the Maharashtra government and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) for significant delays in replacing the builder of a redevelopment project.

The Bombay High Court has criticized the Maharashtra government and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) for delaying the decision to change the developer of a stalled redevelopment project in Wadala (E). Justices Mahesh Sonak and Kamal Khata, in their order on Wednesday, rebuked the authorities for neglecting the plight of residents who vacated their premises in 2013 but are yet to receive promised permanent accommodation or transit rent. The court heard a petition from 20 members of Shaikh Misree SRA CHS, highlighting that Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd, the current developer, stopped paying transit rent in 2015/2016 due to financial reasons, and no progress has been made on the rehabilitation building work since. Despite proposals from lender M/s J C Flowers Asset Reconstruction Pvt Ltd to take over the project, focusing only on changing the developer, no action has been taken. The judges emphasized that the petitioners are entitled to transit rent and criticized the lack of seriousness from all parties involved in resolving the issue. They directed Omkar to deposit all rent arrears with the court by July 24 and mandated the company's MD to personally appear in court if compliance is not met. The court also instructed the SRA and the State government to make firm decisions on the proposals within two weeks, highlighting the urgency of resolving the residents' grievances promptly.