CM Eknath Shinde on Tuesday kickstarted the redevelopment of Ramabai Nagar, Kamraj Nagar, and Ambedkar Nagar by distributing alternative accommodation rent cheques to eligible tenants of this expansive slum colony in Ghatkopar.
The colony, spanning 33.15 hectares and housing around 17,000 tenements, is slated for redevelopment under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, with MMRDA executing the project.
“This project will be a milestone in the history of Mumbai. Today, cheques have been distributed, and we will strive to hand over the keys to their new homes as soon as possible,” Shinde said. Cheques for two years of alternative accommodation rent were distributed to 50 eligible tenants, with residential tenants receiving Rs 15,000 per month and commercial tenants Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 per month, depending on the location.MMRDA chief Sanjay Mukherjee said, “The successful execution of this project will serve as a model for future initiatives, showcasing MMRDA’s commitment to the sustainable development of Mumbai.” As part of the project, MMRDA will acquire land to extend the Eastern Freeway from Chheda Nagar to Thane, creating a 31km signal-free route between Orange Gate and Thane.
Reflecting on the vision of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Shinde said the goal of providing proper housing to 4 million slum dwellers in Mumbai had long been unfulfilled. “If we want to make Mumbai a city of international stature, we must make it slum-free,” Shinde said. Govt plans to redevelop slums across the city, with an initial target of constructing 2 lakh homes in Phase I, to beexpanded in Phase II.
The proposal was approved during an authority meeting in Nagpur chaired by Shinde on Dec 12, 2023. The project is expected to take four years to complete. State govt has already approved Rs 500 crore from Shiv Shahu Punarvasan Prakalp Ltd, which will be distributed as rent to eligible dwellers.
MMRDA has appointed a firm to prepare the layout of the scheme, secure building permissions, and obtain the necessary NOCs for its implementation. Once these approvals are in place, MMRDA will appoint a contractor to begin construction of the rehabilitation buildings.
