Slums and skyscrapers side by side show spatial inequality in Indian cities. What governance reforms can make urban land allocation more equitable?

About 6.5 crore Indians live in slums, and Maharashtra has the largest number of them [1]. In Mumbai, informal settlements stand right next to luxury towers on mill lands and the coast. This is more than a housing shortage. It shows that urban land goes to whoever pays most, not to those who need it most.

Why land allocation is inequitable

• Weak planning base: 65% of India's 7,933 urban settlements have no master plan, and about 42% of town-planning posts are vacant [3]. As a result, land use changes plot by plot through reservation changes, extra FSI and TDR.
• Devolution only on paper: The Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W) lists urban planning, land-use regulation and slum upgradation as municipal functions [2]. In practice, states still take the big land decisions.
• Land meant for the poor is diverted: In the Century Mill case, the Supreme Court held that using land given for "poorer classes" housing for commercial gain goes against the purpose of the law [6].
• Redevelopment that leaves people out: In Dharavi, residents from before 2000 get free 350 sq ft flats on site [8]. However, about 3.5–4 lakh upper-floor dwellers are ineligible and will be moved to rental housing outside Dharavi [7].

Governance reforms

• Real devolution: Give planning and land-use powers to urban local bodies and empower mayors, as NITI Aayog recommends [3]. Ward committees should vet any change in a plot's reservation.
• Transparency: Publish every land-use change, FSI/TDR grant and redevelopment contract online before approval, with time for citizens to object.
• Public trust test: Coasts, parks and other common resources cannot be turned into private commercial property [5]. This test should be applied when development plans are approved.
• Rights-based rehabilitation: Follow Olga Tellis, which requires fair procedure before eviction under Article 21 [4]. Widen eligibility cut-off dates and prefer rehousing on the same site.
• Inclusionary zoning: Reserve a share of every large project and of public land banks for affordable housing. Tender large parcels in smaller packages so that no single developer gains too much control.
• Planning capacity: Fill vacant town-planner posts and make master plans compulsory [3].

Slums beside skyscrapers are a failure of governance, not an unavoidable result of growth. If land is allocated through devolved, transparent decisions that respect people's rights, Indian cities can become inclusive. This would uphold Article 21 and the public trust doctrine and advance SDG 11's goal of adequate housing for all.