Mumbai, March 30 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced several measures on Monday aimed at accelerating slum redevelopment in Mumbai, including approval for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with private developers to expedite housing projects and prevent the emergence of new slums.
The SPV will be formed between private developers and the state-run Shivshahi Rehabilitation Project Limited (SRPL) to implement projects, he said.
The move is being seen as an effort to revive the government company tasked with planning and executing housing schemes under slum rehabilitation.
"The approval for the SPV will allow rehabilitation projects to be completed swiftly by leveraging private sector expertise. While we accelerate redevelopment, we will also ensure no new slums come up by using NETRAM technology," Shinde said.
Established in April 1998 during the Shiv Sena-BJP government, SRPL is associated with the vision of Bal Thackeray to make Mumbai slum-free, and the current initiative under the Shiv Shahi framework seeks to strengthen that legacy in his birth centenary year.
Shinde also directed officials to submit a revised human resource recruitment plan on the lines of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to ensure adequate staffing.
The Deputy CM asked SRPL to resolve stalled rehabilitation projects and provide housing to eligible beneficiaries by coordinating with agencies such as MMRDA, SRA, MHADA, CIDCO, BMC and TMC.
He noted that projects stuck due to technical issues could be expedited under a government-owned entity that can better navigate regulatory hurdles while utilising Floor Space Index incentives.
Beyond housing, the government plans to integrate livelihood generation by setting up MSME parks within redevelopment projects and launching small-scale industry initiatives for women, drawing from existing welfare schemes, he said.
Shinde also announced the 'Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Urban Public Welfare Mission' to eliminate slums, under which large clusters exceeding 50 acres with over 51 per cent slum area will be redeveloped through a dedicated Slum Cluster Redevelopment Scheme under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority.
A biometric survey will be conducted after mapping slum areas, followed by agreements with agencies like Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, MMRDA and MAHAPREIT.
As part of the policy shift, beneficiaries under earlier schemes will be eligible for larger homes, with flat sizes increased to 300 sq ft from the earlier 180, 225 and 269 sq ft, and old projects set to be upgraded accordingly.
The mission will rely heavily on 'NETRAM' (Network for Encroachment Tracking and Reporting for Mumbai), which will use satellite imagery, GIS systems and digital monitoring to track and prevent new encroachments, with images to be analysed every four months for prompt action against emerging slums, officials said.
The government has also decided to revise maintenance charges for high-rise buildings under slum rehabilitation projects, proposing a graded structure based on building height, and has initiated the process to amend the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034 to implement the changes, they added.