Mumbai is making remarkable progress in its mission to transform the lives of its most vulnerable residents. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has successfully surveyed an impressive 884,368 homes across 2,599 slum clusters through December 2025, marking a significant milestone in one of India's most ambitious urban development initiatives.

This comprehensive effort has seen 610,382 households voluntarily submit their biometric data, including fingerprints and essential documents. This participation represents a growing trust between residents and authorities, as families increasingly recognize this survey as their pathway to secure, permanent housing and a better quality of life.

The survey represents far more than just data collection—it's about dignity, hope, and transformation. Each registered household moves one step closer to eligibility for rehabilitation housing, offering families the opportunity to transition from informal settlements to proper homes with legal status and modern amenities.

SRA officials emphasize that this groundbreaking survey serves multiple uplifting purposes: assessing the actual scope of housing needs, determining eligibility for rehabilitation programs, and laying the groundwork for redevelopment projects that will transform entire neighborhoods. Once survey data is collected, it's shared with relevant authorities—whether the collector, BMC, or MHADA—who can then move forward with providing housing solutions.

The initiative has been thoughtfully designed to be inclusive and comprehensive. Since its inception in 2016, the program has evolved to better serve residents. In 2021, authorities introduced innovative drone technology to survey the entire city, identifying approximately 1.3 million slum homes and demonstrating the government's commitment to leaving no family behind.

Survey teams work with patience and dedication, understanding that building trust takes time. While some residents initially hesitate to share documents—often due to concerns about their future—the SRA continues its outreach efforts, ensuring that every family understands the benefits of participation and how this process can positively change their lives.

The program covers homes on state government, private, MHADA, and BMC land, working with multiple agencies including Pioneer Foundation Engineers, SAAR IT Capital, and CE Infosystems to ensure thorough and accurate data collection. This collaborative approach brings together government expertise and private sector efficiency.

While the original completion deadline was set for the end of 2025, the program's extension into 2026 reflects a commitment to quality over speed. Officials want to ensure maximum coverage and participation, recognizing that rushing would leave families behind. This patient, inclusive approach demonstrates genuine care for residents' futures.

Each surveyed home receives a unique identification number, creating a formal record that acknowledges families' presence and rights. This recognition alone represents tremendous progress for communities that have long existed in legal limbo.

As Mumbai continues this transformative journey, the survey represents hope for hundreds of thousands of families. It's a tangible commitment from the city to its residents that everyone deserves safe, secure housing and that Mumbai's growth will include all its people, not just some. The progress achieved so far proves that with persistence, collaboration, and compassion, even the most ambitious urban transformation goals can become reality.