News Brief
Fadnavis Launches Rs 1,299 Crore Mega Slum Redevelopment In Ghatkopar, Pitches Vision For A “Slum-Free Mumbai”
Joined by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis referred to the trio as the “trimurtis” of Maharashtra’s development.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (14 October) announced that the city will witness a surge in large-scale cluster slum redevelopment, featuring civic amenities, open spaces, and commercial hubs.
He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of Mata Ramabai Nagar and Kamraj Nagar—two of the city’s largest slum clusters located along the Eastern Express Highway in Ghatkopar (East).
Fadnavis emphasised that future projects will avoid creating “vertical slums” and instead integrate facilities such as gardens, office spaces, and commercial units to generate employment, Free Press Journal reported.
“We do not want to redevelop horizontal slums to vertical slums,” he said, adding that plots of around 50 acres each have been identified for upcoming projects to make Mumbai “slum free.”
The Chief Minister announced that the first phase of Kamraj Nagar’s redevelopment will be completed within two years, with keys to be handed over to beneficiaries soon after.
Eknath Shinde highlighted that the long-delayed project was first discussed 15 years ago under the Congress government led by Prithviraj Chavan but only gained momentum under the current Mahayuti administration.
The project marks a historic shift for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which, for the first time in its 50 year history, is acting as the developer, while the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) serves as the planning authority.
The Rs 1,299 crore Phase 1 of the 31.82 hectare Ghatkopar slum redevelopment will rehabilitate 4,345 of 16,575 dwellers within 36 months.
Each eligible family will receive a 300 sq ft 1BHK flat, with Rs 137.5 crore paid as advance rent. Amenities include gardens, gyms, and a health centre; martyr Murli Naik’s family will receive a commercial unit in honour.
