Mumbai continues to grapple with an acute shortage of classroom space, a challenge that has persisted for years as several school buildings constructed under slum rehabilitation schemes remained stuck between the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, the situation is now showing signs of improvement, with six long-pending school buildings expected to be handed over to the civic body before June this year.
Education officials said prolonged delays in transferring these buildings have significantly worsened the shortage of classrooms across the city. In many cases, the disputes arose because school structures were either not built in accordance with prescribed standards or lacked essential facilities such as fire safety systems, lifts, or basic infrastructure. As a result, the BMC refused to take possession of several buildings, forcing schools and students to rely on temporary or shared spaces for extended periods. Some of these projects date back to the late 1990s and have remained incomplete or undelivered for decades.
Officials noted that sustained inspections, closer coordination between the SRA and BMC, and continuous follow-ups with developers have helped resolve several long-standing issues. These efforts are now translating into tangible progress, with six school buildings nearing handover and expected to ease some of the immediate pressure on classroom availability.
Among the buildings ready for transfer is the school at Shraddha Rahivashi Sangh CHS in Parel, which is awaiting a fire no-objection certificate (NOC) before the BMC can formally take possession. Similarly, the school building at Sai Chhaya SRA CHS in Ghatkopar also requires a fire NOC and is likely to be handed over by March. In Harijan Colony at Bhandup West, inspections have been completed and only minor safety-related works remain, after which the handover is expected shortly.
In Mulund Village, both primary and secondary school buildings are close to completion. Pending works include the installation of lifts and final fire safety measures, and officials expect these buildings to be transferred to the civic body by April. A school building in Sahar Village is structurally ready and is awaiting clearance from the chief fire officer. Meanwhile, the Shree Sai Krupa SRA project in Borivali has completed preparations for handover, and the formal process has already been initiated.
While progress has been made on several fronts, a number of school projects are still under construction. Schools at Chembur Village, Siddharth Nagar in Bandra, and Mahavir Nagar in Kandivali are moving ahead steadily and are expected to be completed and handed over within the next two years. In contrast, the Lower Parel school project continues to face significant delays due to pending approvals from the environment ministry and is unlikely to be ready before late 2031.
Authorities emphasised that obtaining statutory clearances and ensuring all safety norms are met remain essential before the BMC can accept possession of any building. Officials said timely handovers depend on strict monitoring, coordination between developers and the SRA, and close cooperation with the civic administration, highlighting the complexity involved in delivering educational infrastructure as part of large slum rehabilitation projects.
Source: Prop News Time
