High Court Directs State to Safeguard Senior Citizens in Redevelopment and Slum Rehabilitation Projects
By | Arvind Jadhav
Senior Citizens at the Centre of High Court Observations
Mumbai: Placing senior citizens at the heart of urban welfare, the Bombay High Court has issued firm directions to the State Government to ensure that redevelopment and slum rehabilitation projects do not undermine the dignity, safety, and shelter rights of elderly residents. The court observed that development cannot come at the cost of forcing senior citizens into prolonged displacement or unsafe living conditions.
Guidelines to the State on Redevelopment Projects
The High Court has directed State authorities to treat redevelopment projects as welfare-driven initiatives. It stressed that senior citizens cannot be kept in transit accommodation for indefinite periods due to administrative delays or developer negligence. Projects must follow strict timelines, and accountability must be fixed where delays result in hardship to elderly residents who depend heavily on stability and proximity to healthcare.
Safeguards in Slum Rehabilitation Schemes
While addressing slum rehabilitation projects, the court noted that elderly slum dwellers are among the most vulnerable groups. The State has been instructed to ensure lawful consent, transparent procedures, and provision of safe, accessible, and habitable transit housing, with special consideration for age-related needs. The court cautioned that slum rehabilitation must improve, not worsen, the living conditions of senior citizens.
Senior Citizen Policy 2013: Mandatory Protection
Referring to the Senior Citizen Policy 2013, the High Court underlined that the State has a binding obligation to protect senior citizens from displacement, neglect, and exploitation. The policy mandates housing security, access to healthcare, and dignified living for the elderly. The court clarified that these provisions must be actively enforced in redevelopment and slum rehabilitation projects, and cannot remain on paper.
Right to Shelter and Dignity
The High Court reaffirmed that the right to shelter is inseparable from the right to life, especially for senior citizens. Forcing elderly residents to live for years in temporary or unsafe accommodation violates constitutional values and defeats the purpose of redevelopment. Authorities have been reminded that senior citizens deserve stability, security, and respect during urban transformation.
Accountability and Grievance Redressal
The court has directed the State to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms for senior citizens affected by redevelopment. Any failure to address legitimate concerns or to implement welfare safeguards may invite strict judicial scrutiny against both officials and developers.
By centring its guidelines on senior citizens, the High Court has sent a strong signal that urban development must be inclusive and humane. Redevelopment and slum rehabilitation projects must protect the elderly, ensuring that progress does not come at the cost of dignity and basic human rights.
