Mumbai News : 51,582 Huts on Municipal Reserved Land, Redevelopment Stalled
In Brief
51,582 huts on Mumbai Municipal Corporation's reserved land
Third extension for the redevelopment of 26 plots
The corporation can redevelop 64 plots
It has been found that as many as 51,582 huts have been erected on various reserved plots in the city and suburbs of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Like the slums on private plots, the redevelopment of these huts has been stalled for many years. Due to the lack of expected response in the first phase, the corporation issued tenders twice for the redevelopment of 26 plots. Subsequently, the tender deadline was extended; however, there was still insufficient response from developers. As a result, the deadline has now been extended for the third time until November 11.
The density of slums, encroachments, and socio-economic complexities on municipal plots in the eastern suburbs is significant, which creates a possibility of financial loss for developers due to these projects. As a result, there is a reduced response from developers. Against this backdrop, the municipal administration is considering redeveloping these plots under the Cluster Development Scheme.
17 Plots' Case Pending in Court
In the redevelopment process of slums on 64 municipal plots, the case of 17 plots is pending in court. Due to technical and legal difficulties, the process on these plots has been halted. While tenders were invited for the remaining 47 schemes, the plots in the city and western suburbs received a good response; however, the response was minimal in the eastern suburbs, particularly in the Deonar and Govandi areas.
The Corporation Can Redevelop 64 Plots
About 60 percent of Mumbai's area is affected by slums. This includes some privately owned plots, as well as some government and municipal corporation-owned plots. In many places, forest department lands, as well as hilly areas under the jurisdiction of the district collector, have a large number of slums. The state government has recently allowed the municipal corporation to redevelop slums on their owned plots. As a result, the corporation will now be able to undertake the redevelopment process of 64 plots.