In a strategic move to raise revenue, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will auction vacant land parcels from the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar slum redevelopment project. Following the successful rehabilitation of slum residents, the remaining land will be leased to MMRDA by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and auctioned for private development. Approved developers will be permitted to construct and sell residential and commercial properties on these plots.
A Joint Venture Agreement signed on 27 February 2024 states that MMRDA will serve as the developer for the rehabilitation phase, while the SRA will act as the planning authority. The project also includes the Kamraj Nagar slum cluster.
Spanning a total of 31.83 hectares (approx. 81 acres), the redevelopment has been divided into phases. Phase I, covering 6.95 hectares, will include 5,623 tenements. Overall, the plan envisions 17,000 housing units across 30 rehabilitation buildings, each featuring basement levels for parking and services, a commercial ground/stilt floor, and 22 residential storeys rising to 70 metres. Every unit will offer 300 sq. ft. of carpet area, with eight lifts installed per building.
In line with DCPR 2034 Clause 33(10), community amenities will include an Anganwadi, health centre, fitness centre, community hall, youth centre (Yuva Kendra), library, and society office.
To ease the transition, MMRDA has begun disbursing two years’ rent compensation to the remaining 1,694 slum dwellers, having previously distributed 3,631 cheques.
Estimated to cost ₹8,498 crore, the project will be funded partly through institutional loans, with ₹3,916 crore to be raised—starting with a tranche from the Bank of Maharashtra. The redevelopment complements major infrastructure projects, including the Eastern Freeway extension, aimed at improving Mumbai–Thane connectivity.
Source: The Free Press Journal
