MHADA plan to revamp Dharavi gets CM's nod

The ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has seen numerous ups and downs ever since it was first planned. There has been another development in this case as Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is all set to receive 672 flats from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The housing authority's Mumbai Board Chairman said that MHADA has received the necessary permission from the state government and therefore, the construction of the Sector-5 flats is expected to start soon.

The state government had established the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) in 2004, to boost the redevelopment project aimed for the slum area in Dharavi. For several years the project to redevelop Asia’s largest slum has been going on and off by the state government but still it hasn’t been completed. Due to which, the project was divided into five sectors and Sector-5 was given to MHADA’s Mumbai Board.

Since the last five years, the construction work of 358 houses of 300 sq. ft. was conducted by MHADA's Mumbai Board and the redevelopment of 350 houses was also finished.  Currently, the housing authority is constructing 682 flats in the 350 sq. ft. area and so far, they have finished work of upto 14 floors. The proposal 672 flats that was pending for approval, was also given a nod after it received Commencement Certificate in October 2017. 

Earlier during November 2018, while MHADA was in-charge of the construction for the Sctor-5 construction work for Dharavi redevelopment, the state government had issued a Government Resolution (GR) asking the project be conducted only by DRP. However, in that case, MHADA would have to bear losses as it has finished a lot of construction work. Therefore, Madhu Chavan had written a letter to the then Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis to allow MHADA to continue their work. 

After which, the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019 were held and the proposal by MHADA was put on hold. Only recently, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government allowed MHADA to complete the pending project. Therefore, the Mumbai Board President has clarified that the flats will be constructed in the next one and a half year.