July 16, 2025: After years of uncertainty, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will redevelop 17 structurally unsafe PMGP buildings in Poonam Nagar, Andheri East. The project will benefit 982 families who have been living in hazardous conditions since the buildings were declared dangerous in 2012.
Approved during a high-level meeting at Vidhan Bhavan, the redevelopment marks a major step towards improving housing safety and infrastructure in a densely populated Mumbai suburb. Under the plan, each eligible household will be provided with a 448 sq. ft. flat. Additionally, MHADA will offer a monthly rent of ₹20,000 from the date of demolition, with two years’ rent paid in advance. If construction extends beyond this period, provisions are in place to extend the rental support for a third year.
Special camps will be conducted to help legal heirs claim their rightful homes—an issue that has long complicated redevelopment efforts across Mumbai. Local representatives have also urged MHADA to consider larger flats and ensure adherence to modern construction standards.
The project is being coordinated by MHADA in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Senior officials from all agencies were present at the recent meeting, signaling a unified effort to move forward.
MHADA has already initiated the tendering process, and work is expected to start once contractors are appointed. The redevelopment is not just about rebuilding homes—it’s also part of a broader vision to create resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban housing. While challenges remain—such as accommodating demands for larger flats and incorporating green building features—the initiative could serve as a model for future urban renewal in Mumbai, where affordable, climate-resilient housing is in urgent demand.
Source: Urban Acres
