Mumbai: Along with a 100-acre plot in Andheri West around Gilbert Hill, Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is set to launch 18 projects in Mumbai under the state govt’s recently introduced slum cluster redevelopment scheme.Clusters of at least 50 acres, where over 51% of the area is occupied by slums, will be taken up for the projects. Even slums on coastal regulation zones I and II can be integrated. Under the scheme, slums can be redeveloped along with non-slum, old and dilapidated buildings, tenant-occupied buildings, vacant land unsuitable for construction and some private buildings. The Andheri land houses nearly 14,000 hutments and several residential buildings. SRA has floated tenders for its redevelopment. The sites for the other projects include Mankhurd, Govandi, Sion, Wadala, Vikhroli Park Site, Goregaon West, Kandivli West and Borivli East. Tenders for them will be floated once plot demarcations are finalised. “Redevelopment will be done in an integrated and sustainable manner in terms of urban planning so that all civic facilities can be developed in a modern and scientific manner and the quality of life is improved… As per the provisions of the scheme, SRA shall be the nodal agency,” said SRA CEO Mahindra Kalyankar. He said slum clusters identified by SRA will have to be approved by a high-power committee, which is yet to be set up and will be led by additional chief secretary, housing, and then by the state govt. “Redevelopment work will be given to a govt agency for implementation through a joint venture mode, or a private developer can be appointed through a tender process, or if a developer has an area exceeding 40% of the total area of such clusters, then the decision to implement the scheme through the developer can be taken with the prior approval of the state govt on the recommendation of the high-power committee,” the official said. In case a land belongs to the central govt or its undertakings, it can be included in the project, provided they give their consent for it. Once the approvals are granted, private landowners will be provided with a developed plot of an equivalent floor space index, valued on the basis of the town planning scheme, at 50% of the total land value. “If private landowners reject the proposal, then the land will be acquired as per Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Redevelopment Act, 2013. The cost of land acquisition will be borne by the promoter/developer implementing the project,” the official said.
