MMR Housing Crisis: 70,000 Homes Halted by Green Tribunal

Construction of over 70,000 housing units across 493 real estate projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has come to a halt following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal.

The tribunal has ruled that all construction within a five-kilometre radius of eco-sensitive zones must now obtain environmental clearance from the Central government, replacing the earlier process governed by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). This shift has led to significant delays in project approvals, disrupting construction timelines and creating regulatory uncertainty.

A majority of the affected projects fall under the affordable and mid-income housing segments, exacerbating the housing supply crunch in one of India’s most densely populated urban areas. In response, industry bodies are urging the government to fast-track clearances or introduce a transitional framework to mitigate prolonged disruptions in the housing sector.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.