The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has established a dedicated unit to implement slum rehabilitation projects in Mumbai under the state government’s Slum Free Mumbai initiative. Traditionally known for executing highways, expressways and major flyovers, the state-run agency has now been entrusted with a direct role in large-scale housing redevelopment to accelerate long-pending and complex urban schemes.
As per the mandate issued by the Maharashtra government, MSRDC will undertake redevelopment across 97,713 acres, covering 24,226 slum tenements citywide. So far, 45 projects have been identified, spanning key neighbourhoods such as Wadala, Sion, Vile Parle, Ghatkopar, Antop Hill, Jogeshwari, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar.
A senior MSRDC official said this is the first instance where the corporation will independently manage slum redevelopment projects end-to-end. Its responsibilities will range from master planning and feasibility assessments to financial structuring, regulatory clearances and beneficiary verification.
To oversee implementation, MSRDC has constituted an eight-member execution cell comprising architects, a civil engineer, a finance specialist and urban planning professionals. The team will invite expressions of interest for cluster-based redevelopment, draft memoranda of understanding with relevant authorities, appoint consultants, scrutinise master plans and coordinate statutory approvals. Contractor supervision and timeline monitoring will also form part of its mandate.
Earlier, MSRDC’s involvement in housing was restricted to rehabilitating individuals displaced by infrastructure projects. The new assignment significantly widens its scope into comprehensive urban renewal.
Simultaneously, redevelopment efforts are progressing in Ghatkopar’s Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), where 4,345 rehabilitation units are planned. Additional projects are underway in Jogeshwari, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar.
The state’s push for cluster-based redevelopment aims to overcome fragmented land ownership and stalled private projects. MSRDC’s entry into the housing sector is expected to leverage its infrastructure expertise to bring greater structure, speed and accountability to Mumbai’s urban transformation efforts.
Source: Prop News Time
