Redevelopment of old chawls in textile mill lands on fast-track

The existing rules do not provide additional incentive Floor Space Index (FSI) to encourage builders to take up redevelopment, said Shinde, the minister for urban development, speaking in the legislative assembly here.

“Many of the residential structures and chawls (tenements) on these lands are old and unsafe, and redevelopment is urgently needed. The government has decided to amend the rules to encourage redevelopment. A (proposed) amendment under section 37(1)(ka) of the MRTP Act (Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966) has been approved and a notification will be issued,” he said.

Shinde said many mill-land chawls are unsafe and are in urgent need of redevelopment, and the rule change will remove the main hurdle that had held up work for years.

“These chawls and old residential buildings on former mill plots are decades old and in some cases hazardous, making redevelopment essential,” he added.

Under the previous regulations, eligible residents were entitled to rehabilitation homes, but developers had no incentive to take up redevelopment, which were stalled projects for years.

The amendment now introduces the required incentive floor space index, (FSI) ensuring that redevelopment of these areas becomes financially feasible for developers. He said, the statutory process for the rule change has been completed, and a formal notification is being issued.

Shinde said the amendment aligns the DCPR-2034 provisions with other planning regulations, providing a legally compliant and streamlined process.

The amendment is also seen as a push to encourage private developers and landowners to participate actively in urban renewal, ensuring modern, safe housing while preserving the city’s historic urban fabric.