Redevelopment plans in three prominent Mumbai localities — SVP Nagar, Bandra Reclamation and Adarsh Nagar — have triggered growing tensions between residents and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) over the agency’s cluster redevelopment plans.
Last year, MHADA notified the Construction and Development Agency (C&DA) model, also known as cluster redevelopment, across these localities. However, residents claim several housing societies had already initiated independent redevelopment projects with private developers, which are now allegedly being delayed or blocked by MHADA in an effort to bring more societies under its cluster model.
Under the C&DA framework, MHADA appoints a private developer for redevelopment projects on land owned by the authority. Residents are promised larger apartments, while MHADA receives a share of the redeveloped housing stock and developers retain a portion of the sale component.
Residents across the three localities have accused MHADA of adopting an opaque and coercive approach, alleging that mandatory consent norms are not being adequately followed. Multiple housing societies have approached the Bombay High Court challenging the redevelopment process, while MHADA continues with the tendering exercise.
MHADA Vice-President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal defended the cluster model, saying conventional redevelopment provisions would not have made projects in certain layouts financially viable.
“It wouldn’t have been possible for SVP Nagar’s revamp under DCPR 33(5). Normally, HIG residents are not entitled to the benefits given under DCPR 33(5). We got the project under DCPR 33(9) (cluster redevelopment) by having an incentive-based scheme and made the entire project feasible,” said Jaiswal.
Speaking about Adarsh Nagar and Bandra Reclamation, he added, “By consolidating large swathes of land into planned clusters, MHADA plans to create integrated living environments complete with enhanced infrastructure, open spaces and community amenities. Nearly 60–70% of future housing supply is expected to come from cluster redevelopment initiatives, with a significant portion earmarked for economically weaker sections and lower-income groups.”
MHADA received three bids each for the redevelopment of the three layouts, collectively covering around 206.49 acres. Technical bids are scheduled to be opened this week, while related petitions in the High Court are expected to be heard again on June 9.
Source: Hindustan Times
