Mega Redevelopment of MHADA Colonies in Bandra and Worli Approved by State Government

Mumbai’s aging residential landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation as the Maharashtra government has approved the redevelopment of two major housing clusters—Bandra Reclamation and Adarsh Nagar in Worli. The decision was formalised through an official notification issued on Friday, under which both projects have been brought under the ambit of Development Control Regulation (DCR) 33(5), specifically designed for the redevelopment of MHADA buildings.

The redevelopment will be undertaken as a combined project, and one developer will be selected through a tendering process to execute both locations. The projects, considered among the largest of their kind in Mumbai, have been allocated a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 4. Consent from only 51% of the existing residents will be required by the developer to move forward with the work, significantly lowering the threshold for approvals and accelerating the process. These housing colonies, developed between the 1950s and 1960s by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), were originally intended to serve middle- and low-income groups. Due to structural deterioration over the decades, they have been deemed unsafe for habitation, prompting repeated appeals for redevelopment by residents.

It has been observed by officials from the housing department that buildings along main roads had been redeveloped more efficiently compared to those located within interior lanes. As a result, a decision was taken to discontinue permissions for individual redevelopment in these colonies. However, societies that have already secured individual approvals will be excluded from this consolidated plan.

Out of the FSI of 4 granted for each project, a portion will be reserved for MHADA to generate new housing units. The rest will be utilised to provide existing residents with additional space, temporary rental compensation, a corpus fund, and essential amenities. Current sinking and maintenance funds held by the housing societies will be distributed among all residents, and upon completion, developers will be required to contribute an equivalent amount to newly formed societies, regulated by MHADA. To oversee the execution of these projects, a five-member high-powered committee will be constituted. This panel will be led by the additional chief secretary (housing) and include senior representatives from MHADA, the BMC, and the housing department.