The Maharashtra government plans to accelerate cluster redevelopment across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as part of a broader housing and infrastructure programme that envisages around 30 lakh homes over the next 15 to 20 years, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on September 23.
Shinde was speaking at the foundation stone ceremony for the Siddheshwar Nagar-Ramabai Nagar cluster redevelopment project in Thane. The government intends to promote the cluster model across Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli and Ulhasnagar.
The Thane project will cover approximately 20 hectares, or 50 acres, and is expected to provide new homes to around 6,000 families. The development is planned as more than a housing replacement exercise, with infrastructure and community facilities incorporated into the project.
Planned facilities include wider roads, water supply, sewage and waste-management systems, gardens, playgrounds, community halls, gymnasiums, yoga centres, indoor sports facilities, a digital library, daycare services, senior-citizen facilities, a primary healthcare centre, a women’s empowerment centre and smart street lighting.
Shinde described the development model as a “city within a city”, combining residential rehabilitation with public amenities and employment opportunities. The project is also expected to incorporate commercial spaces to support a ‘walk-to-work’ approach.
The state government has attributed faster progress on cluster and SRA projects partly to changes in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR). The Kisan Nagar cluster’s first phase is reportedly nearing completion, with residents expected to receive possession of their homes soon.
The wider redevelopment programme is also linked to improvements in regional connectivity. Shinde referred to ongoing projects including the Metro network, Coastal Road and Thane-Borivali tunnel.
The Siddheshwar Nagar-Ramabai Nagar project is intended to integrate housing redevelopment with civic infrastructure, while plans for the cleaning and beautification of Siddheshwar Lake are also part of the broader neighbourhood development initiative.
Source: News 18
