The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has initiated the process of cancelling long-term lease agreements for properties included in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, a move aimed at accelerating the transformation of Asia’s largest slum.
According to senior housing department officials, the cancellation of these leases will not affect the rehabilitation of existing residents. Eligible occupants will continue to receive rehabilitation within Dharavi, including alternative accommodation during construction and permanent housing upon completion.
The affected properties include vacant land, chawls, buildings and municipal plots owned by MHADA and the BMC that were leased for periods ranging from 30 to 60 years. The state government had indicated at the time of inviting bids for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project that these lease agreements would be terminated to facilitate redevelopment.
Among the first properties affected are the cooperative housing societies of S.K. Iyer, Bai Ambabai, Mukund and Mahatma Gandhi, situated on municipal land, along with a MHADA-owned plot leased to the Mahatma Phule Education Trust.
MHADA recently issued a show-cause notice to the Mahatma Phule Education Trust, alleging that the leased land, which was designated exclusively as a public playground, had been used for commercial purposes through the development of cricket and football turfs. The notice stated that the land would now be incorporated into the Dharavi Redevelopment Project following due process.
Similarly, the BMC has issued notices to cooperative housing societies occupying municipal plots, directing them to hand over possession within 15 days in accordance with the government’s redevelopment notification.
Officials clarified that rehabilitation benefits will remain unchanged despite the lease cancellations. Eligible slum residents will receive rehabilitation housing under the Dharavi project, while occupants of chawls and buildings will be provided 500 sq ft homes or flats measuring 35% more than their existing carpet area, wherever applicable. Temporary accommodation or monthly rental assistance will also be provided until the new homes are ready.
Source: Loksatta
