The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has initiated a fresh push to resolve the long-pending housing demand of Mumbai’s former mill workers and their legal heirs by inviting bids from developers for residential projects across Mumbai and neighbouring regions.
The Mumbai Board of MHADA has sought proposals from developers for housing developments in areas including Borivali, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar and Uran. The initiative is aimed at increasing the supply of homes for eligible beneficiaries awaiting allotment under the mill workers’ housing scheme, which was introduced after several textile mills in Mumbai shut down over the years.
The housing demand among mill workers remains significant, with the Mumbai Board receiving nearly 2 lakh applications from workers and their legal heirs seeking homes. However, limited availability of land within Mumbai has emerged as a major challenge. Authorities estimate that only around 16,000–17,000 eligible beneficiaries may be accommodated within the city due to land constraints.
To address the gap between demand and available housing stock, the government is now looking beyond Mumbai’s boundaries and exploring residential development opportunities in suburban and adjoining areas. Locations such as Thane, Mira-Bhayandar and Uran are being considered to provide housing solutions to a larger number of eligible applicants.
The proposals submitted by developers will undergo a detailed evaluation process by MHADA officials. After scrutiny, shortlisted projects and bidder details will be presented to mill workers’ unions for their review and approval. Once the unions provide consent, the proposals will be forwarded to the Maharashtra government for final clearance and implementation.
The latest move forms part of the government’s broader rehabilitation efforts for thousands of textile mill workers affected by the closure of Mumbai’s historic mills. By involving private developers and expanding housing locations beyond the city’s limited land availability, MHADA aims to accelerate the allotment process and create additional residential options for pending beneficiaries.
The initiative is expected to provide a structured roadmap for future housing allotments while addressing the long-standing demand for homes among Mumbai’s mill worker community.
Source: NDTV Profit
