SRA Netram Portal : Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has developed a digital portal called ‘Netram’ to identify newly constructed illegal slums and help authorities take timely action. The system uses satellite images to detect new structures, identify their locations and track changes in areas where unauthorised construction has taken place.
2011 Satellite Images to Help Identify New Structures
Controlling the growth of illegal slums remains a major challenge for Mumbai’s civic and government authorities. To address this issue, the SRA has developed the Netram system under the guidance of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, IAS. The portal has been developed with technical support from BISAG-N, the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics, based in Gujarat. A dedicated Netram cell has also been established at the SRA headquarters to support the system’s operations.
SRA Netram Portal all details
Under the state government’s policy, 2011 is an important cut-off year for determining the eligibility of slum structures. To identify structures that came up after this period, the SRA has obtained satellite images from the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC) and shared them with BISAG-N. By comparing satellite images from 2011 with current images, the system can help identify newly constructed structures, locate them and assess changes in the affected areas. This comparison makes it easier for authorities to identify locations where new unauthorised construction may have taken place.
SRA Netram Portal: BMC, MHADA and Railway Land Under Surveillance
Illegal slum structures are sometimes built on land owned by the Maharashtra government, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Railways and other public authorities. Through Netram, information about such structures can be shared with the respective land-owning authorities. This can help officials identify the exact locations of unauthorised construction and initiate further action in accordance with applicable rules.
The SRA has also conducted training for officials and employees from the BMC, MHADA, the Additional Collector offices for Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The training is intended to help these agencies use the portal effectively and improve coordination in identifying and addressing illegal construction on their land.
Technology to Speed Up Action Against Illegal Construction
The primary objective of Netram is to strengthen monitoring through satellite technology, improve information-sharing among government agencies and speed up the process of action against unauthorised structures. The digital initiative is expected to support Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation efforts while helping authorities identify new illegal constructions more efficiently. However, any enforcement action will be taken by the relevant authority in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
Digital Monitoring to Support Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Efforts
SRA Netram Portal is part of the wider effort to use technology to improve the monitoring of slum areas and support Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation process. While the SRA works with private developers and government agencies to rehabilitate eligible slum dwellers, identifying new unauthorised structures remains an important administrative challenge. The portal can help officials compare older and current satellite images to understand how construction has changed over time.
SRA Netram Portal News
This information can serve as a starting point for ground-level verification and further action by the concerned authority. By combining satellite-based monitoring with field inspections and coordination among government departments, the system aims to make the identification of unauthorised construction more systematic and timely. Its effectiveness will depend on the regular updating of information, verification of identified structures and appropriate action by the relevant land-owning authorities.
Better Coordination Between Government Agencies
The Netram portal is expected to improve coordination between different government departments responsible for protecting public land in Mumbai. By providing location-based information about suspected illegal structures, the system can help agencies such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MHADA, the Railways and other land-owning authorities identify areas that require attention. Instead of relying only on complaints or physical inspections, officials can use satellite imagery to identify changes in specific locations and plan further inspections accordingly.
