The Maharashtra state government has established a high-powered committee (HPC) to oversee the redevelopment of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Nagar Colony in Andheri, Mumbai. The project involves 4,973 flats distributed across 498 plots. The committee is headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Housing, Aseem Gupta, and includes MHADA Vice President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal, an Additional Municipal Commissioner from the BMC, and other senior MHADA officials.
The land in question, located in Andheri West, was originally allotted in 1993 under a World Bank-backed housing project. Currently, 98 cooperative housing societies operate on this land, alongside 24 plots occupied by high-income group apartments. The remaining plots include 62 of 60 square meters and 245 of 100 square meters each. The redevelopment plan received cabinet approval last month, emphasizing cluster redevelopment to modernize the area’s infrastructure.
According to the government resolution, the HPC is tasked with reviewing the progress of the redevelopment project every four months. The committee will consolidate recommendations for approval by the state government, in coordination with the Urban Development Department. The resolution also stresses that cluster redevelopment should be prioritized, which involves rehabilitating multiple buildings collectively rather than redeveloping individual structures. This approach ensures planned infrastructure development across the colony and minimizes disruption to residents.
A grievance redressal committee will also be constituted under MHADA to address concerns of local residents and cooperative societies. The committee’s mandate is to resolve disputes, ensure smooth relocation or temporary accommodation for residents, and oversee the implementation of the redevelopment plan without affecting the overall project timeline.
Under the redevelopment model, a construction and development (CD) agency, selected by MHADA through a tendering process, will execute the project. The CD agency will be responsible for rehabilitating existing residents, arranging monthly rent or alternative accommodation during construction, managing corpus funds, and developing necessary infrastructure and amenities. Importantly, the government resolution specifies that consent letters from individual residents will not be required for this cluster redevelopment, streamlining the execution process.
Officials highlighted that the redevelopment will focus on improving infrastructure facilities such as roads, utilities, and common amenities while maintaining the interests of current residents. The government also noted that self-redevelopment proposals for individual buildings within the colony will not be entertained, to ensure uniform development standards across the project.
The initiative aligns with broader urban development policies in Mumbai, where aging housing societies are being modernized through cluster redevelopment. By consolidating multiple plots and involving professional construction agencies, the state aims to enhance livability, provide adequate housing for residents, and modernize infrastructure in high-density areas such as Andheri West.
As the HPC begins its review and planning process, stakeholders, including MHADA officials, BMC representatives, and residents’ associations, are expected to work closely to ensure smooth execution. The project represents one of the larger redevelopment efforts in Mumbai, with implications for urban planning, housing availability, and infrastructure development in the city.
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