The long-delayed redevelopment of South Mumbai’s Kamathipura neighbourhood has finally moved forward, with MHADA’s Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) receiving two bids for the project. The bids have been submitted by J Kumar Infraprojects Limited and AATK Construction, thereby clearing the way for technical evaluations and the next phase of the redevelopment. Officials said the financial bids will be opened shortly, and the proposals will then be sent to the state government for final approval. In parallel, MBRRB has begun a biometric survey of residents, conducted by Kshitij Creation, to determine the exact number of homes, residents, and non-resident occupants — a crucial step before construction can commence. Kamathipura, spread over 34 acres, is one of South Mumbai’s oldest and most densely populated areas. It comprises 475 cessed buildings, 163 non-cessed structures, 15 PMGP buildings, 52 collapsed structures, 15 religious sites, two schools, four government offices, and eight other buildings. The locality is home to 6,073 resident and 1,342 non-resident occupants. Most buildings, some nearly a century old, have been in disrepair since the 1990s, making cluster redevelopment essential. The redevelopment plan will rehabilitate 8,001 residents and compensate 800 landowners. Resident families will receive 500 sq ft homes, while non-resident families will be allotted 225 sq ft tenements. Reconstructed buildings will rise up to 57 floors, while towers intended for sale could reach 78 floors. Landowner compensation will be proportionate to plot size, with a single 500 sq ft unit for plots up to 50 sq m, two units for 51–100 sq m, and three units for 101–150 sq m, following the same principle for larger plots. The project marks a shift from individual building redevelopment to cluster-based renewal, in line with Regulation 33(9) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. The plan aims to transform Kamathipura into a contemporary urban village with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, while upgrading the area’s infrastructure. “The submission of these two bids is a crucial step towards reviving Kamathipura,” said an MBRRB official. “Once approved, construction will begin promptly. This project is intended to serve as a model for heritage neighbourhood regeneration across Mumbai.” The redevelopment blueprint, prepared by Mahimtura Consultants, has been approved by the state government under the title “Kamathipura Cluster Redevelopment – Urban Village.” Around 4,500 new homes are expected to be added to Mumbai’s housing stock once the project is completed. With the two bids received and the biometric survey underway, the long-awaited transformation of Kamathipura is finally set in motion.
