By: Express News ServiceMumbai | January 4, 2026 09:25 AM IST 4 min readA developer or developing authority pays transit rent to eligible residents who vacate their premises for redevelopment or rehabilitation purposes till a permanent alternate accommodation is available to them. (Express Photo)The Bombay High Court last month directed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to decide the complaints related to non-payment or delay in payment of transit rent for eligible persons in connection with redevelopment projects in a time-bound manner through its special cells.MHADA told the Bombay High Court that it has constituted special cells to redress complaints related to transit rent. The Court said that the special cells shall resolve and mitigate their disputes in an effective and time-bound manner and MHADA shall have authority of passing drastic orders in the event of non-cooperation by stakeholders including developers.The court also said that formation of such special cells should not increase further litigation and it shall ensure the issues are resolved “in the spirit for which the legislation has been enacted.”A developer or developing authority pays transit rent to eligible residents who vacate their premises for redevelopment or rehabilitation purposes till a permanent alternate accommodation is available to them.A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe passed an order on plea by over 60 petitioners deprived of transit rent from developers for over two years.An executive engineer of the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), a unit of MHADA, filed an affidavit setting out the mechanism adopted by it in regards to complaints received in regard to transit rent.The affidavit stated that the redevelopment under Rule 33 (7) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) is carried out on the joint request of landlord and over 51 % tenants or occupants as the buildings are cessed buildings. The cessed buildings are structures whose occupants pay a cess or repair fund. It said while MBRRB’s No-Objection Certificate (NOC) is required, MHADA’s role was limited.Story continues below this adThe affidavit further stated various types of complaints including non-payment of transit rent by the developer, difference of opinions over quantum of rent and interest on pending rent, non-payment of annual increase in rent, pending transit rent by new developer who takes over project from old developer, disputes regarding non-payment of transit rent of Covid period.The Authority further said it had taken several remedial steps including issuance of show cause notice to owners or developers to pay pending transit rent and issuance of stop-work notice in case of further failure, joint hearings of parties, acquisition of property, cancellation of NOC, FIR against defaulters for criminal breach of trust among others.The HC in its order said that utmost priority must be given to applicants who are seriously ill or are senior citizens. The Court also directed the MHADA and its units to deal with the complaints in an expeditious manner and grievances be addressed within 15 days, which can be further extended to another 15 days, strictly in accordance with law.The bench further said it did not delve into individual disputes, which was left to Special Cell authority to decide and stakeholders are required to cooperate.Story continues below this ad“In the event of non-cooperation, the Special Cell, with the concurrence and approval of the Competent Authority, MHADA, shall have the authority to pass even drastic orders. Accordingly, the Special Cell shall be permitted to pass appropriate orders upon obtaining the approval of the Competent Authority, MHADA, and any order passed by the Special Cell shall be deemed to be an order passed by the MHADA,” the HC noted in its order and disposed of the pleas.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:MHADAMumbai