Chandigarh has achieved a historic milestone by becoming India's first slum-free city following the demolition of Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 at the end of September 2025, completing a 12-year clearance campaign that reclaimed 520 acres of government land valued at ₹21,000 crore.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced on July 21, 2025, that it had successfully collected approximately ₹269 crore in property tax from commercial establishments operating within Mumbai's slum settlements for the first time in the civic body's history.

A recent study highlights a gradual reduction in slum-covered land in Mumbai’s peninsular region, dropping by 8.6% over 17 years. From 47.7 sq km in 2005, the slum area declined to 43.6 sq km in 2022, revealing a dynamic transformation in one of India’s most densely populated cities.

A large proportion of urban migrants live in slums, informal settlements and unauthorized colonies, in order to save rental costs. They spend a substantial time commuting to their workplaces either by walking or cycling to reduce the travel expenses.