January 27, 2026: In one of Mumbai’s bigger proposed cluster redevelopment initiatives, 53 housing societies in Kandivali are exploring a joint plan to redevelop a 26-year-old residential complex built by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). The Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Complex, constructed in 2000, is spread across 12 acres and comprises 53 societies housing 3,488 families, each currently occupying apartments of about 225 sq ft.
Cluster redevelopment involves pooling together adjoining buildings or plots and redeveloping them as a single integrated project. The model allows better land use, upgraded infrastructure, wider internal roads, open spaces, and modern amenities, while ensuring the rehabilitation of existing residents. In Mumbai, several MHADA layouts and private housing clusters, including Motilal Nagar in Goregaon, Abhyudaya Nagar in Parel, Adarsh Nagar in Worli, Bandra Reclamation, GTB Nagar in Sion, and Kamathipura, have undergone or are undergoing similar redevelopment.
Residents say the Kandivali buildings are structurally deteriorating and suffer from major infrastructure constraints. Internal roads within the layout are described as “extremely narrow,” leading to frequent congestion and raising safety concerns in such a densely populated area. These factors have prompted societies to come together to pursue redevelopment.
“We recently conducted a meeting, and our current status is that out of 53 housing societies, 34 housing societies are in favour of the redevelopment, and 19 are still under discussion. We hope to get all the housing societies on board. However, as per the cluster norms, we need a majority of 60% housing societies, which we have, but are hopeful that all the societies will come together,” said Sachin Chavan, secretary of one of the societies and a member of the redevelopment committee. He added that post-redevelopment, residents could receive 610 sq ft apartments. “The developer will get to construct another 3,488 apartments, which is equivalent to FSI to be sold in the open market, from which he can generate profit for our rehabilitation,” Chavan said.
The committee has appointed a project management consultant and is preparing tender documents, with bids expected to be invited after February 15. As per meeting minutes, residents are seeking specific flat sizes, graded rental compensation during construction, transport charges, a corpus fund, and strict compliance with MHADA norms, including a bank guarantee and selection of a reputed developer.
Source: Hindustan Times
