Delay in SRA works MIDC, MSRDC among govt agencies to lead slum redevelopment efforts

According to the new directives, the BMC will manage 64 schemes located on its own land, while MHADA will handle 24 schemes on land it owns.

For government-owned lands, the redevelopment responsibilities will be distributed as follows: MMRDA will oversee five schemes, MSRDC will manage 46 schemes, CIDCO will handle six schemes, MAHAPREIT will take on 57 schemes, and MIDC will oversee 21 schemes.

A government resolution issued on September 21, 2023, allows for joint ventures between local civic bodies, CIDCO, MHADA, and other entities for slum redevelopment projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Under this resolution, the BMC will serve as the special planning authority for its 64 designated projects. The remaining projects will be executed based on the joint venture model established by the September 2023 resolution.

In June 2024, CM Shinde had held a meeting with housing department officials, during which MIDC and MSRDC were also tasked with slum redevelopment projects.

According to an official from the housing department, the move is aimed at speeding up the redevelopment of slums.

“It has been observed that the work of SRA gets delayed for many reasons. Giving responsibility to other agencies will speed up this process,” said the official.

In July, the government approved a joint venture between the SRA and MMRDA for the redevelopment of a 33.15-hectare site at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar.

The SRA will conduct a biometric survey, declare the area under section 3(c), acquire private land, extend necessary permissions, and hand over vacant land to MMRDA.

MMRDA will then finalize architects and contractors, prepare feasibility and planning reports, provide transit camps or rental assistance for displaced residents, and manage construction.

With seven government agencies now being tasked to redevelop over 200 slums, the SRA will now be limited with responsibilities such as undertaking biometric surveys of slumdwellers, acquiring lands and ensuring permissions for construction.