In a move that expands its role beyond highways and expressways, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has established a specialised unit to implement 45 slum redevelopment projects across Mumbai under the state government’s “Slum Free Mumbai” mission.
Traditionally associated with large transport infrastructure such as roads and flyovers, MSRDC has now been tasked with accelerating housing redevelopment schemes that have faced delays or execution challenges. As per the state mandate, the corporation will oversee the redevelopment of 97.713 acres covering 24,226 slum tenements across locations including Wadala, Sion, Vile Parle, Bandra, Ghatkopar, Antop Hill, Jogeshwari, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar.
A senior official said MSRDC’s earlier involvement in slum-related work was confined to rehabilitating project-affected persons linked to infrastructure developments. “This is the first time MSRDC will be handling housing redevelopment in its entirety, from feasibility to execution monitoring,” the official said.
To manage the expanded responsibility, the corporation has constituted an eight-member core team comprising architects, a GIS specialist, civil engineer, finance analyst, land and survey officer, socio-development officer and urban planning professionals. The unit will evaluate project feasibility, structure financing models, verify beneficiaries and ensure regulatory compliance. Its responsibilities include drafting Expressions of Interest for cluster-based redevelopment, preparing Memoranda of Understanding with authorities, appointing consultants, assessing masterplans and securing approvals, including RERA registration. It will also set up Special Purpose Vehicles, supervise contractors and monitor documentation and compliance processes.
The Maharashtra government has involved multiple public agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, CIDCO and MHADA, to revive stalled projects that struggled under private developers due to financial and regulatory constraints.
Separately, MMRDA has commenced redevelopment of Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar, a Rs 1,299 crore initiative that will deliver 4,345 rehabilitation units across 11 towers within three years.
Source: Hindustan Times
