Bandra & Worli MHADA Colonies To Get Sea-View Homes: Govt Approves Major Redevelopment Plan

The Maharashtra state cabinet approved a proposal allowing MHADA to redevelop its buildings in Bandra Reclamation and Adarsh Nagar, Worli, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will lead the redevelopment work as the main design and construction agency. This means that residents' societies will not be allowed to carry out their own redevelopment. Instead, MHADA is expected to appoint a private builder to do the work.

The project will be given a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 4. Out of this, 1 FSI will be used to create new homes, which will be added to MHADA's housing stock.

In Bandra Reclamation, the redevelopment could bring sea-facing flats to residents, as the new buildings will be taller. These flats are located near Lilavati Hospital. The area has 52 buildings with 1,688 flats, ranging from 322 to 825 square feet. The total plot size is 2,12,042 square feet. After redevelopment, residents will receive an additional 5,04,515 square metres of built-up area. MHADA will get 1,00,190 square metres of housing stock and also earn a premium of Rs 4,266.14 crore.

Adarsh Nagar in Worli, located behind the Worli Fire Station on Annie Besant Road, is also set for redevelopment. The area has 58 buildings and 863 flats ranging from 270 to 860 square feet. The total land size is 68,034 square metres. Residents will get an extra 89,557 square metres of built-up area. MHADA will receive 14,632 square metres of housing stock and a premium of Rs 680.02 crore.

The builder appointed by MHADA must be approved by at least 51 per cent of the residents. This builder will be responsible for giving alternative homes or paying rent, providing a corpus fund, and ensuring basic services to the original tenants.

A senior official from the housing department said, "The government wants complete and organised development instead of scattered work. Sometimes, builders only choose attractive plots and leave others undeveloped. With this model, MHADA will invite tenders and select the builder who offers the best housing stock to MHADA."

Currently, MHADA has 56 colonies in Mumbai. These include Pant Nagar in Ghatkopar, Tagore Nagar and Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli, Motilal Nagar in Goregaon, and Tilak Nagar in Chembur.

Dominic Romell, president of real estate group MCHI-CREDAI, welcomed the move. He said, "This is a good step for tenants. They will not face the confusion and delays seen in regular projects. The government will also gain housing stock."

Some residents of Bandra Reclamation said MHADA had delayed giving them land conveyance, which is required before starting redevelopment. "We followed up many times but got no response, so we went to the high court. Now, we are waiting for the judgement," said one resident.