According to housing department officials, the Maharashtra government is exploring the possibility of enlisting central agencies to help rehabilitate slums situated on land owned by the central government in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). If the proposal is implemented, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and central agencies will work together to rehabilitate slum colonies. According to the officials, the latter would be involved as nodal agency for these projects rather than private builders, after the recent action taken by the state government to involve state-run organisations for slum reconstruction.
“We are trying to facilitate joint ventures with central government agencies for redevelopment of slums on government of India land, such as those owned by defence, customs, and railways,” stated Valsa Nair Singh, additional chief secretary of the department of housing, in confirmation of the development. Singh noted that the idea is still in the draft stage and is awaiting cabinet debate.
Under this concept, the reconstruction of the Kamraj Nagar and Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slum clusters in Ghatkopar East by MMRDA has already received approval for ₹8,948 crore from Chief Minister and MMRDA chairman Eknath Shinde. The Korba Mithagar slums in Wadala are being redeveloped, and this process has also been started by MSRDC.
In a similar vein, the state administration is currently contemplating enlisting the help of central agencies for slum rehabilitation initiatives.
Source: Hindustan Times
