The Maharashtra government on Wednesday, February 14, has approved the redevelopment of 25 buildings in Sion Koliwada. These buildings are occupied by Sikh, Sindhi and Punjabi refugees, displaced during Partition, and their descendants.
During the state cabinet meeting, chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it was decided that these buildings will be redeveloped by appointing a construction and development agency through MHADA. The redevelopment project cost is close to INR 3,000 crores.
This decision will help transform the lives of 1200 families and they will get their own homes after nearly 70 years. Additionally, there are more 200 slum units, which will also benefit from this redevelopment.
Many of the tenants did not have original papers. They were unified under Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar Cooperative Society and the conveyance was done in their name. It has been established to oversee this project, covering an area of 41,500 square meters.
The approval for the redevelopment of 25 buildings in Sion Koliwada, constructed between 1958-1962, marks a significant milestone for the Sindhi community.
It is pertinent to note that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had been sending notices since 2011 to one building or another, declaring them all dilapidated.
Sion Koliwada has a huge Mhada colony spread across 11 acres.
This redevelopment requires the consent of at least 51% of the tenants in each building or at least 60% of the total tenants or residents in the rehabilitation plan. In this regard, a high-powered committee under the supervision of the additional chief secretary, housing department will be set up and it will monitor the implementation of the project.
The redevelopment plan aims to provide larger homes, approximately 635 sq ft in size, to the current residents. This initiative will not only improve their living conditions but also address the issue of encroachments on commercial land. Furthermore, MHADA will acquire more than 1,000 additional homes as a result of this project, contributing to its housing inventory.
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