“Revamping Slums: Maharashtra Government Seeks Central Agency Support for Redevelopment Projects

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The Maharashtra government is exploring the possibility of enlisting central agencies to assist in the redevelopment of slums situated on central government land within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This initiative, as reported by officials from the housing department, aims to partner the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) with central agencies, replacing private builders with these nodal bodies for slum redevelopment projects.

Valsa Nair Singh, the additional chief secretary of the housing department, confirmed the proposal, stating, “We are facilitating joint ventures with central government agencies for the redevelopment of slums on land owned by the Government of India, including properties held by the defense, customs, and railways.” Currently, the proposal is in the draft stage and awaits further discussion in the cabinet.

Earlier this year, the state government allowed eight state-run agencies to redevelop slum clusters on state-owned land through a similar joint venture model. These agencies include the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), and several others. Together, they have been tasked with the redevelopment of 228 slum clusters in the MMR, which will involve the construction of 218,931 tenements.

Under this new policy, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also chairs the MMRDA, has already approved ₹8,948 crore for the redevelopment of the Kamraj Nagar and Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slum clusters in Ghatkopar East. Additionally, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has commenced the redevelopment process for the Korba Mithagar slums in Wadala.

In an effort reminiscent of a 2017 initiative, the state government is once again looking to involve Union ministries in slum redevelopment in Mumbai. At that time, the defense and railway ministries had agreed to transfer land for rehabilitating slum-dwellers affected by infrastructure projects, although the plan ultimately did not come to fruition.

In a related move, the state government recently invited public suggestions and objections regarding a draft housing policy aimed at leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for slum redevelopment efforts.