A new study has revealed that the land covered by slums in the Mumbai region declined by 8.6%, or approximately 4.1 sq km, from 2005 to 2022. The total area occupied by slums in Greater Mumbai and Thane dropped from 47.7 sq km in 2005 to 43.6 sq km in 2022, which is roughly 4.5 times the size of Mahalaxmi racecourse. However, the study highlights a more complex trend, as some slums expanded while others shrank, and many became denser over the years.
Slums in some areas shrank by up to 10.2 sq km, while others grew by 6.1 sq km. In the second decade (2010-2022), slums became more densely packed. Researchers noted that slums are integral to the city’s structure and undergo constant change. The study was based on high-resolution satellite imagery and data mapping changes in slum land area.
The findings also showed a rise in slum growth on the mainland, including Navi Mumbai and Mumbra, where slum areas grew by 35%, from 12 sq km to 16.1 sq km. Interestingly, slums close to water bodies and railways saw a reduction, with slum area near water bodies dropping by 7% and near railways by 11.5%.
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