Maharashtra to Expedite Cyclone Nisarg Rehabilitation in Raigad District
On August 11, 2026, the Maharashtra state government announced that it will expedite the long-pending rehabilitation of families affected by Cyclone Nisarg in Raigad district. The decision was taken during a meeting held at Mantralaya in Mumbai under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil.
At the meeting, Minister Bharatsheth Gogawale strongly raised the issue of families affected by Cyclone Nisarg, stressing that numerous households suffered extensive losses due to the storm and required safe and permanent rehabilitation. Gogawale called for an early resolution to the matter, prompting the government to express its commitment to resolving the issue at the earliest.
Alongside the Raigad decision, the government has accelerated the process of framing a revised policy for rehabilitating villages impacted by natural disasters, including floods, excessive rainfall, landslides, landslips, hill collapses, and cracks in land. The meeting reviewed the existing rehabilitation policy that was previously notified through a government resolution dated October 14, 2022.
Several amendments are being proposed to update the state disaster rehabilitation framework. As per a corrigendum issued on June 9, 2026, eligible affected families will receive housing assistance through the district disaster management committee. The amended rules will also allow for civic amenities to be provided in villages that have already undergone rehabilitation.
Under the proposed policy guidelines, eligible families moving to rehabilitated settlements will be allotted an independent plot measuring at least 500 sq ft. If a family's original plot was larger than 500 sq ft, an alternative plot matching the original area will be provided, subject to land availability. If sufficient alternative land is unavailable, compensation for the remaining land area will be provided according to a government notification issued on August 27, 2014.
The meeting also placed special focus on providing basic civic amenities to rehabilitated villages in Mahad and Poladpur within Raigad district. Department officials were directed to coordinate to ensure proper roads, water supply, electricity, healthcare, and educational facilities for rehabilitated residents.
Practical suggestions put forward by elected representatives will be incorporated into the revised policy draft before it is placed before the state Cabinet for final approval. The meeting was attended by Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, legislators Manoj Ghorpade, Shekhar Nikam, Babaji Kale, and Shankar Mandekar, along with officials and representatives from the concerned government departments.
