Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is expected to release the list of eligible slum dwellers for the Ramabai slum redevelopment project by June. This project is a joint effort between SRA and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The area being covered is Ramabai Nagar in Ghatkopar, which spans 33.15 hectares and houses approximately 16,574 slum tenements.
According to an SRA official, the survey of tenements in Ramabai Nagar will be completed by the end of this week, and the list of eligible slum dwellers will be published in June. Along with providing housing for slum tenements, the project also involves the extension of the eastern freeway from Chheda Nagar to Thane, for which the MMRDA will receive free land. Priority will be given to 1,694 slums that will be affected by the freeway extension.
The MMRDA plans to extend the eastern freeway by 14 km to Thane and add entry and exit ramps at four locations, making it a 31 km long signal-free commute between Orange Gate and Thane. This extension will require the acquisition of 5,000 more tenements for project affected persons (PAPs) from ongoing projects. The survey for 14,000 slums out of 16,754 has already been completed by SRA.
The Ramabai Nagar proposal was approved during an authority meeting in Nagpur chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on December 12, 2023. This project holds significant importance for the MMRDA as it will generate funds through land sales, addressing its financial constraints in undertaking infrastructure projects that amount to Rs 75,000 crore, including 10 metro projects. Additionally, the development agency could earn Rs 1,073 crore through the sale of residential tenements.
The MMRDA aims to complete the project within three years from the day the land is transferred by the SRA. Furthermore, the state government plans to replicate similar agreements involving the BMC, Mhada, TMC, Cidco, etc.
For further reading, you can check out our related article: ‘Skyway Project to Affect 100 Shamirpet Properties,’ which highlights the acquisition of private properties in Shamirpet for an elevated skyway project.
