India, Jan. 22 -- The Maharashtra government has taken a key policy decision to speed up the redevelopment of old, dilapidated and unsafe residential buildings in Navi Mumbai under the Urban Renewal Scheme (URS), ending long-standing confusion over rules that had stalled several projects.

The urban development department issued detailed clarifications after receiving a communication from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). A senior NMMC official said the move will help clear repeated objections that arose due to inconsistent interpretation of URS provisions, even after structural audits had declared buildings unfit for habitation.

Under the clarification, greater decision-making powers have been delegated to the municipal comm...