Bombay HC Directs BMC To Audit Land Holdings For Free Housing For Sanitation Workers
Mumbai, September 1, 2026: The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to thoroughly examine its land holdings and submit a detailed report on properties that can be used to construct free housing for its sanitary workers. HC Flags 18-Year Policy Delay A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale, on August 31, voiced sharp displeasure over an 18-year…
On September 1, 2026, the Bombay High Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of its land holdings and provide a detailed report on any properties suitable for constructing free housing for its sanitary workers. The court expressed frustration over an 18-year delay in implementing a 2008 Maharashtra government policy aimed at providing housing to municipal sanitation staff.
The high court bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale questioned the BMC's failure to allocate any land for worker housing since the policy's introduction in October 2008. The court emphasized that the municipal corporation must take every possible step to safeguard the interests of sanitary workers, who are often exploited and marginalized.
The bench noted the BMC's oversight of thousands of leasehold lands, tenanted properties, and amenity plots, but pointed out that no land has been allocated for worker housing. The court warned that if the BMC fails to provide transparency regarding its available real estate, it may appoint an independent committee to inspect and evaluate the utility of BMC-owned land.
The Municipal Commissioner has been given until September 9, 2026, to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the occupancy and feasibility of all municipal properties.
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