The Maharashtra government has revived plans to clear slum settlements surrounding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), with authorities considering in-situ rehabilitation for eligible residents. The move could eventually provide Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) with additional land for expanding airport infrastructure.
The airport operator, led by the Adani Group, could potentially increase the airport’s operational footprint by around 15% if the settlements are cleared. The redevelopment push has gained momentum amid plans to demolish the existing Terminal 1, creating further scope for expansion.
The land surrounding CSMIA is owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and leased to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the airport operator.
Over the years, informal settlements have spread across around 275 acres of AAI land in parts of Kurla and Santacruz. The densely populated settlements have expanded close to the airport perimeter, raising concerns related to aviation security and flight operations.
Earlier efforts to redevelop the airport slums were unsuccessful. Authorities are now considering a different approach, with MMRDA sources indicating that eligible residents could be rehabilitated within the same area.
“We will use the model used in the redevelopment of Ramabai Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar, where the slum residents were rehabilitated in situ,” said an MMRDA official.
The authority is yet to prepare a formal proposal and plans to conduct a fresh survey of the affected population. “Despite the previous count of slum-dwellers standing at 85,000-90,000, MMRDA will commission a fresh survey,” said the official.
However, redevelopment near the airport faces restrictions on building heights. “This was not the case at Ramabai Nagar, where 11 towers of 22 storeys each are being constructed,” the MMRDA official said.
Once eligible residents are rehabilitated, around 100 acres could be transferred to CSMIA for future infrastructure expansion.
RTI activist Anil Galgali called for transparency in the process. “Last time, there was corruption in the process and the government miserably failed. This time, the authorities should ensure that they provide in-situ rehabilitation and the process is transparent. The slum residents simply cannot be displaced to other areas in the city,” said Galgali.
Source: Hindustan Times
