Illegal Settlement in the Liberalization Era, Mumbai

The phenomenon of illegal settlements has become a significant issue in urban areas across the globe. These settlements, often characterized by unauthorized construction and occupation of land, pose numerous challenges to urban planning, infrastructure development, and social equity. This article examines the case of Shivajinagar Bainganwadi in Mumbai, India, to understand how the transformation of a municipal housing colony into an illegal slum has been influenced by political and economic factors. Specifically, it explores how the deterioration and criminalization of the neighborhood’s water infrastructure have contributed to its illegal status. This analysis highlights the complex interplay between policy shifts, political dynamics, and the emergence of illegal settlements.

An illegal settlement, also known as an informal settlement, is a group of shelters, often tents or shacks, constructed without the permission of the local, state, or national government. Poor living conditions, lack of basic infrastructure, and unauthorized land occupation typically characterize these settlements. The term “illegal settlement” encompasses a wide range of situations, from temporary tent cities to more permanent shantytowns.

The liberalization era, marked by significant economic reforms and policy changes, has had profound impacts on urban landscapes worldwide. In India, this period has seen a shift towards market-oriented policies, deregulation, and privatization of public services. These changes have often prioritized economic growth over social equity, leading to disparities in access to resources and opportunities. In the context of urban development, this has resulted in the marginalization of certain communities and the emergence of illegal settlements as a response to inadequate housing and infrastructure.

Shivajinagar Bainganwadi, a neighborhood in Mumbai, provides a compelling case study of how policy shifts and political dynamics can contribute to the emergence of an illegal settlement. Originally a municipal housing colony, the area has transformed into an illegal slum over time. This transformation has been facilitated by the deterioration and criminalization of its water infrastructure. The water pipes, once a lifeline for the community, have become a site of political contestation and manipulation.

The water infrastructure in Shivajinagar Bainganwadi has not only deteriorated but has also been subject to criminalization. This process involves the illegal tapping of water lines, theft of water, and the emergence of a black market for water resources. These activities are often politically mediated, with local politicians and power brokers exploiting the vulnerability of the community for their gain. The lack of proper governance and regulation has further exacerbated the situation, leading to a cycle of illegality and informality.

The emergence of Shivajinagar Bainganwadi as an illegal slum challenges the simplistic binary that posits the unplanned, illegal, and informal “slum” as the antithesis of a planned, formal, “world-class” city. This binary, often used in urban planning and policy discourse, fails to account for the deeply political and unstable nature of these categories. The case of Shivajinagar Bainganwadi reveals that the distinction between slum and city is not fixed but rather fluid and context-dependent. The neighborhood’s illegality and informality are not inherent qualities but are produced through specific political and economic dynamics.

The illegality and informality of Shivajinagar Bainganwadi are not merely outcomes of economic or social factors but are also discursive effects. The discourse surrounding these settlements often frames them as problems to be solved through eviction or regularization. However, this approach overlooks the underlying causes of their emergence and the complex interplay of factors that sustain them. Instead, a more nuanced understanding is needed, one that recognizes the role of political and economic interests in shaping the urban landscape.

The case of Shivajinagar Bainganwadi in Mumbai highlights the intricate relationship between policy shifts, political dynamics, and the emergence of illegal settlements. The deterioration and criminalization of the neighborhood’s water infrastructure have played a crucial role in its transformation from a municipal housing colony to an illegal slum. This transformation challenges the simplistic binary of slum vs. world-class city, revealing the deeply political and unstable nature of these categories. Understanding the discursive effects of illegality and informality is essential for developing more equitable and sustainable urban policies.