Mumbai, Sep 4: Mumbai is preparing for a major transformation over the next decade, with the Maharashtra government setting an ambitious goal of making the financial capital slum-free through large-scale redevelopment and rehabilitation.
The plan focuses on redeveloping entire neighbourhoods rather than taking up individual buildings or settlements in isolation. Under the cluster redevelopment model, ageing colonies, slum pockets and underutilised land parcels will be brought together for planned development, better infrastructure and improved housing.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is expected to be one of the biggest components of this transformation. The government has set a target of having 10,000 rehabilitation homes ready by January 2029 in the approximately 600-acre project area. The redevelopment is aimed at improving housing and civic infrastructure while taking into account the homes, businesses and livelihoods that have developed in Dharavi over the years.
The redevelopment drive will also extend to older MHADA colonies, many of which were developed around five decades ago. Bringing these areas into the redevelopment programme is expected to make better use of scarce urban land while creating more modern and better-planned residential neighbourhoods.
Another major part of the plan involves the redevelopment of BEST bus depot land. These sites are being considered for mixed-use development, combining modern bus facilities with residential and commercial spaces, along with public amenities such as museums, sports facilities and recreation areas. The approach could also provide BEST with additional revenue sources while upgrading important public transport hubs.
The wider vision extends beyond central Mumbai. The state is planning new urban centres and infrastructure across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to accommodate future population and economic growth. Better connectivity, new business districts and modern civic infrastructure are expected to support this expansion.
The government sees redevelopment as a way to address Mumbai’s long-standing shortage of land while improving living conditions for residents. If implemented effectively, the programme could reshape large parts of the city, bringing together housing, transport, commercial activity and public spaces within more organised neighbourhoods.
The challenge, however, will be ensuring that redevelopment remains focused on residents as well as real estate development. Timely rehabilitation, protection of livelihoods, transparent implementation and adequate civic infrastructure will be critical to turning the 10-year target into a sustainable transformation of Mumbai.