VIDEO: 'Over 25,000 Mumbai Buildings Without OC To Be Regularised Under New Policy,' Says Minister Ashish Shelar

Mumbai: In a landmark decision that will bring long-awaited relief to lakhs of Mumbai residents, the Maharashtra government has announced a new policy framework to grant occupation certificates (OCs) to more than 25,000 buildings constructed under various development regulations.

These include projects sanctioned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and other planning authorities, which for years remained without OCs due to technical or administrative hurdles.

High-Level Meeting at Mantralaya Finalises Policy

The decision was finalized on Thursday during a high-level meeting held at Mantralaya. The meeting was chaired by Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburbs Ashish Shelar and attended by senior officials from the Urban Development, Revenue, Cooperation Departments, and the BMC.

Former MP Gopal Shetty, North Mumbai MLA Manisha Chaudhary, and senior BJP functionaries were also present. The decision is expected to benefit lakhs of Mumbaikars who have been struggling with legal, financial, and civic difficulties due to the absence of OCs for their homes.

Families Living Without OCs for Years

For years, thousands of Mumbai families have been living in buildings without OCs, leaving them technically categorized as “unauthorized occupants” despite being legal homeowners. Officials clarified that these delays were largely the result of regulatory loopholes and lapses by developers, not the fault of residents.

Policy to Regularise Cases and Deliver Justice

“The new policy will regularize such cases and ensure justice for homebuyers who were left in limbo through no fault of their own,” said Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar while addressing the media. He also appealed to citizens to make use of this opportunity once the policy is rolled out on October 2.

Key Features of the Policy

Simplified Process:- The Urban Development Department will implement a transparent, online process to address pending OC cases.

Rectification of Lapses:- Technical and administrative issues, such as discrepancies in sanctioned floor area or setback-related hurdles, will be resolved.

Relief for Stalled Projects:- Buildings stuck due to policy or regulatory changes will also be regularized.

Reserved Area Compliance:- In cases where developers failed to hand over reserved areas or flats to the government, the process will now allow OCs to be granted after compliance.

Application Flexibility:- Housing societies may apply jointly or individually, with provisions for partial occupation certificates (Part-OCs).

Penalty Waiver:- Applications made within the first six months of the policy’s rollout will not attract any penalty. However, in cases where additional Floor Space Index (FSI) has been used, the prescribed premium must be paid.

Policy Rollout from October 2

The policy will officially come into effect from October 2. Housing societies across the city are being encouraged to proactively apply for OCs under the new framework. Officials confirmed that applications will be processed swiftly to ensure citizens receive long-pending relief.

To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/