A Division Bench of Justices M.S. Karnik and S.M. Modak delivered the common judgment, ruling that MHADA, as the landowner and planning authority, has the power to redevelop these layouts in an integrated manner under DCPR 33(9) read with DCPR 33(5). The court held that individual societies cannot insist on standalone redevelopment of their buildings when it conflicts with larger public interest and planned development of the entire layout.

Why the Petitions Were Filed

Multiple societies — including MIG Adarsh Nagar Co-operative Housing Society, Worli Smruti, and several High Income Group (HIG) societies in Bandra Reclamation such as Anand Sagar, Sagar Sangam, Suman, Saptarshi, Sagar Kiran, and Agasti — had approached the court. They argued that as sub-lessees holding long-term leases (up to 99 years) from MHADA, they have the right to redevelop their own buildings independently.

The petitioners contended that forcing cluster redevelopment without their consent violated the Transfer of Property Act, DCPR provisions requiring society consent, Article 300A of the Constitution (right against deprivation of property without due process), and their right to form associations under Article 19(1)(c). They also raised concerns about possible inadequate rehabilitation and forced amalgamation of societies.

What the Court Held

The High Court rejected these arguments. It observed that MHADA layouts such as Adarsh Nagar (~34.33 acres) and Bandra Reclamation (~98.27 acres) comprise old buildings developed decades ago. Allowing piecemeal redevelopment by individual societies through different developers would result in haphazard development, poor infrastructure planning, and loss of opportunity for coordinated roads, open spaces, parking, drainage, water supply, and amenities.

The Bench noted that under the proposed cluster redevelopment, residents will not only get full rehabilitation in new buildings within the same layout but will also receive substantial additional incentives and area — more than the statutory minimum they would get if redeveloping independently. The court recorded MHADA’s assurances that occupants’ interests are fully safeguarded.

The judges held that policy decisions on integrated redevelopment of MHADA layouts, aimed at balanced housing stock across income groups and better urban planning, are in larger public interest. Courts have limited scope to interfere in such matters unless the decision is patently arbitrary or illegal — which it was not in this case.

The redevelopment is expected to impact thousands of residents across these layouts. The court said any interference would adversely affect the larger body of bona fide occupants.

How It Benefits the City and Residents

This order paves the way for modern, well-planned redevelopment of two prime Mumbai layouts instead of fragmented, unplanned growth. Residents stand to gain better infrastructure, improved fire safety access, organised parking, landscaped open spaces, upgraded civic amenities, and higher-quality buildings.

For the city, it means more efficient use of scarce urban land, creation of additional housing stock, and avoidance of the chaos that often comes with multiple developers working independently in dense areas. The integrated approach aligns with MHADA’s mandate under the MHADA Act to ensure orderly urban development and address Mumbai’s acute housing shortage through planned projects.

MHADA can now proceed with the next steps, including tenders and detailed planning for these cluster projects. While the societies have the option to approach the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court order currently stands.

Also Read: Adani, Lodha, JSW Lead MHADA Cluster Redevelopment Race Set to Transform Mumbai Realty Scene

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The judgment, delivered by Dr. S. Neelkanth, Member-1, on 25 June 2026 in Revision Application No.07 of 2026, upholds the right of individual members to question the functioning and election process of apex federations formed for large-scale redevelopment.

Background of the Case

STS Co-operative Housing Federation Society Ltd. is an umbrella body comprising five co-operative housing societies, including Shree Giriraj Dharan CHS Ltd. in Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (West). The federation was formed to undertake cluster redevelopment of the properties under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations, 2034, with M/s. Narang Realty Pvt. Ltd. as the proposed developer.

Kajal A. Rajani, an associate member and flat owner of Flat No.108 in Giriraj Dharan CHS Ltd., filed Dispute No.CC/I/448/2023 before the Co-operative Court No.I, Mumbai. She alleged that the federation’s managing committee election held on 06.11.2023 was conducted in an arbitrary and illegal manner. She claimed that important agendas and minutes of meetings were not disclosed to members of the constituent societies. Rajani sought to restrain the federation from signing the Development Agreement with the developer without proper consent of all 252 members, declaration of the election as null and void, dissolution of the managing committee, and appointment of an administrator for fresh elections.

Federation’s Attempt to Dismiss the Case

During the pendency of the dispute, the STS Federation filed an application under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, seeking outright rejection of the dispute. The federation argued that Rajani, being only an associate member of one society and not a direct member of the federation, had no locus standi to challenge the election. They contended that her name did not appear in the voters’ list, no cause of action was disclosed, and redevelopment-related matters fell outside the jurisdiction of the Co-operative Court.

The Co-operative Court rejected the federation’s application on 11.11.2025, prompting the federation to file the present revision application.

Appellate Court’s Ruling

After hearing both sides, the Appellate Court held that the revision application was devoid of merit. The court observed that under Section 91 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, a “member or a person claiming through a member” can approach the Co-operative Court. Since Kajal Rajani is a flat owner in one of the constituent societies and the federation’s decisions directly impact her proprietary and occupancy rights, she has a direct stake in the matter.

The court clarified that while considering an application under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC, only the averments in the plaint/dispute are to be examined. If any cause of action is disclosed, the plaint cannot be rejected. Questions involving mixed issues of fact and law — such as the validity of the election process and jurisdiction over redevelopment matters — cannot be decided summarily without evidence.

The judgment relied upon relevant precedents, including judgments of the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court, emphasizing that rejection of a plaint is a drastic measure and must be exercised with great caution. The court also noted that an application for deletion of one of the prayers is still pending before the trial court.

Final Order: The Revision Application was rejected. Parties to bear their own costs.

Implications for Homebuyers

This order is being seen as a boost for transparency and accountability in cluster redevelopment projects. It reinforces that individual flat owners cannot be sidelined in decisions taken by federations that affect their homes and investments. Legal experts believe the ruling will encourage greater scrutiny of election processes and decision-making in multi-society redevelopment schemes across Maharashtra.

The main dispute will now proceed before the Co-operative Court for a full hearing on merits.

Also Read: This ONE Change Will Benefit Thousands of Societies Awaiting Redevelopment on Govt Land!

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According to MHADA, Adani Properties secured the highest financial bid for the 34.33-acre Adarsh Nagar cluster in Worli and the 98.27-acre Bandra Reclamation cluster. For the 73.89-acre S.V.P. Nagar redevelopment project in Andheri (West), the highest bid was submitted by a consortium comprising Hanura Realty Pvt. Ltd., Chandak Realtors Pvt. Ltd., Premsagar Infra Realty Pvt. Ltd., and Vantier Realty Pvt. Ltd. Hanura Realty is a subsidiary of JSW Steel Ltd.

The bids will now be placed before the High-Powered Committee constituted for these projects. Following the committee’s approval, the proposals will be forwarded to the Maharashtra government for final approval before the appointment of Construction and Development Agencies (C&DAs) is formalised.

MHADA had invited bids for the three projects on April 8, 2026, with the submission deadline set for May 18. After technical evaluation, the financial bids were opened on May 27.

The three projects are among the largest redevelopment initiatives currently being undertaken by MHADA in Mumbai. Together, they cover nearly 206.5 acres of land in some of the city’s most valuable urban locations. MHADA has stated that eligible residents will receive transit rent during construction and a corpus fund for maintenance after rehabilitation.

Adani’s Growing Presence in Mumbai Redevelopment

The Worli and Bandra Reclamation projects add to a series of large redevelopment assignments secured by Adani Group entities in Mumbai over the past few years.

One of the most significant projects is the redevelopment of Motilal Nagar in Goregaon (West), where Adani Properties emerged as the highest bidder in March 2025. Spread across approximately 143 acres, Motilal Nagar is MHADA’s largest redevelopment project and is estimated to involve investments of around ₹36,000 crore. The project covers Motilal Nagar 1, 2 and 3 and includes rehabilitation of existing residents, commercial occupants and slum tenements.

In July 2025, MHADA signed a formal agreement with Adani Properties for the execution of the Motilal Nagar redevelopment project. MHADA has said the project will add nearly 4 lakh square metres of constructed area to its housing stock while rehabilitating thousands of residents.

In April 2026, MHADA released the master plan for Motilal Nagar, describing it as India’s largest urban redevelopment project. The redevelopment spans around 143 acres and is expected to involve total investments of up to ₹1 lakh crore over multiple phases. Adani Realty is the appointed Construction and Development Agency for the project.

Apart from Motilal Nagar, Adani Group is also executing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of Mumbai’s largest urban renewal initiatives. The group secured the redevelopment contract after emerging as the successful bidder in the government-led tender process.

With Adarsh Nagar (Worli) and Bandra Reclamation now added to the list of projects where Adani Properties has emerged as the highest bidder, the company is associated with multiple large-scale redevelopment and urban renewal projects across Mumbai, including Dharavi and Motilal Nagar. The final award of the Worli and Bandra Reclamation projects will be subject to approvals from the High-Powered Committee and the state government.

For Bandra Reclamation, the project covers approximately 98.27 acres, making it one of the largest MHADA-led cluster redevelopment schemes currently under consideration. The project aims to rehabilitate eligible residents while upgrading infrastructure and public amenities through a comprehensive redevelopment model.

MHADA has stated that all three cluster redevelopment projects are intended to create planned neighbourhoods with modern infrastructure, improved civic amenities and sustainable urban development while ensuring rehabilitation benefits for eligible residents.

Also Read: Adani, Sunteck show interest to acquire HDIL

The post Adani Tops Bid for MHADA’s Worli Cluster Redevelopment, Also Emerges Highest Bidder for Bandra Reclamation appeared first on Square Feat India.

The evacuation, carried out peacefully with police assistance, paves the way for the demolition and reconstruction of structures that have been classified as C-1 (most dangerous) by BMC’s structural auditors. Civic officials confirmed that all 67 affected families have already been shifted to alternate transit accommodation provided by the civic body.

First-Ever BMC-Led Cluster Redevelopment in Two Phases

Unlike previous isolated demolitions, the BMC is executing the entire project in two well-defined phases, marking the city’s first municipal corporation-led cluster redevelopment initiative.

• Phase I (now underway): Covers the three buildings vacated on Tuesday, along with an additional set of buildings scheduled for demolition shortly.
• Phase II: Will take up the remaining structures, bringing the total to 28 cessed municipal buildings spread across the Parksite locality.

According to BMC sources, nearly 28 high-risk buildings in the area have been categorised as C-1 dilapidated—meaning they are in imminent danger of collapse. So far, five of the total buildings have been completely vacated, with the remaining expected to be cleared in the coming weeks.

Smooth Evacuation with Transit Homes and Police Support

The eviction drive on Tuesday was led by the N-Ward Assistant Commissioner and supported by local police to ensure no untoward incidents. Residents were rehabilitated at alternate flats arranged by the BMC well in advance.

“Most families had already moved to the transit camps provided by us. The remaining cooperated fully once they saw the seriousness of the structural threat,” said a senior BMC official from the Building and Factory department.

Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in Bhandup and surrounding areas have been offered permanent rehabilitation in upcoming BMC housing projects, while temporary accommodation has been arranged in nearby transit buildings.

A New Model for Mumbai’s Dangerous Municipal Stock

The Vikhroli Parksite project is being seen as a template for handling the city’s 15,000+ dangerous cessed buildings, many of which are owned and maintained by the BMC itself. Traditionally, redevelopment of such buildings was left to private developers or housing societies, leading to prolonged delays and legal disputes.

By taking direct control, the BMC aims to:

• Fast-track demolition and reconstruction
• Ensure quality construction with modern amenities
• Provide free permanent homes to original municipal tenants
• Eliminate middlemen and corruption in the rehabilitation process

Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani has instructed officials to complete the tendering process within the next three months so that reconstruction work can begin immediately after the monsoon season of 2026.

Long-Term Relief for Eastern Suburbs

Once completed, the project is expected to deliver over 1,500 new flats with larger carpet areas, proper parking, open spaces, and community facilities—replacing the crumbling 50–70-year-old structures that currently house thousands of lower and middle-income families.

Also Read: Mumbai’s Open Spaces Row: MLA Ameet Satam Asks BMC to Scrap Interim Policy

The post Three Dilapidated Buildings in Vikhroli Vacated: BMC Launches First Phase of Ambitious 28-Building Redevelopment Project appeared first on Square Feat India.

Key Objectives of the Policy

Highlights Announced by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

1. Inclusive & Affordable Housing for All

The policy covers:

• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
• Low-Income and Middle-Income Groups
• Senior citizens, women, students, industrial workers, journalists, disabled persons, and ex-servicemen

2. AI-Based State Housing Information Portal

A centralized platform using Artificial Intelligence to:

• Track housing supply and demand
• Geo-tag housing units
• Integrate data from MahaRERA, PM Gati Shakti, Mahabhulekh
• Ensure transparency and informed decision-making

3. Land Bank Development by 2026

• A state-wide land bank will be developed with the help of:
  • Revenue Department
  • Forest Department
  • MSRDC
  • MIDC
  • Water Resources Department

4. Walk-to-Work Housing Model

• Promote residential developments near employment zones
• Especially in MIDC areas where 10–30% of the land will be reserved for housing

5. Mandatory Inclusion in All Metropolitan Regions

• Not just cities with 10 lakh+ population, but all Metropolitan Region Development Authorities will be required to develop inclusive housing projects

Support for Self-Redevelopment

Slum Rehabilitation: Transparent & Tech-Driven

• Use of central government land for SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) projects
• Joint planning with Central Govt. departments
• Real-time monitoring of projects using IT systems
• Improved transparency and accountability for all stakeholders

Cluster Development to Replace Failed SRA Projects

• Cluster redevelopment approach for areas with stagnant or delayed SRA projects
• New, capable developers to be selected through transparent bidding
• Strict timelines and accountability to eliminate irregularities

Environmentally Sustainable Housing

• Emphasis on green buildings and climate-adaptive designs
• Promotion of Global Housing Technology Challenge for:
  • Heat-resistance
  • Earthquake-resilience
  • Flood protection

Support from CSR & Knowledge Partners

Summary

With this comprehensive housing policy, the Maharashtra government aims not only to fulfill the dream of homeownership for lakhs of citizens, but also to catalyze economic growth, modernize urban living, and lead India toward a more inclusive real estate future.

Stay updated on housing news at www.SquareFeatIndia.com

Also Read: Seeking A Housing Loan? Read This New RBI Policy

The post Maharashtra’s Revolutionary Housing Policy 2025 Approved: 35 Lakh Homes, AI Portal, Focus on Slum Redevelopment appeared first on Square Feat India.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde during the computerized lottery draw for 2,147 homes and 117 plots under the MHADA Konkan Board at Kashinath Ghanekar Auditorium in Thane. The event was attended by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and other senior officials.

Lottery Sees Overwhelming Response

The housing lottery received 24,711 applications for the available homes and plots, reflecting the strong demand for MHADA housing. Shinde emphasized the government’s commitment to transparent and efficient housing allocation, ensuring that quality homes remain affordable and accessible to citizens. He directed MHADA officials to expedite the possession process for successful applicants.

The computerized draw was conducted using IHLMS 2.0, a fully digital and interference-free system, ensuring fairness. The list of successful applicants will be published at 6:00 PM on housing.mhada.gov.in, with winners also receiving notifications via SMS and email.

New Housing Policy and Redevelopment Projects

Shinde announced that the government is working on a new state housing policy, which will focus on affordable housing, rental housing, and hostels for senior citizens, working women, and students. Special provisions will also be made for mill workers and police personnel.

Additionally, the state is pushing forward with cluster redevelopment and slum rehabilitation projects, including Asia’s largest cluster redevelopment project in Thane. The Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Project in Ghatkopar was highlighted as a key example of these efforts. Shinde assured that stalled MHADA redevelopment schemes will be revived to increase housing availability.

Regular Housing Lotteries and Policy Amendments

MHADA Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal stated that the agency plans to release approximately 30,000 homes annually through lotteries every three to six months. This marks the third Konkan Board lottery in 18 months, following the Pune Board’s draw for 3,662 homes last week.

Jaiswal also revealed that amendments to Development Control Rules (DCR) under sections 33(5), 33(7), 33(9), and 33(24) are being proposed to accelerate affordable housing construction. The upcoming housing policy will introduce rental housing provisions, expanding housing options for different income groups.

Strong Public Participation and Digital Access

The lottery event witnessed an enthusiastic response from home seekers. To ensure accessibility, the event was broadcast live on MHADA’s official YouTube and Facebook channels, attracting over 11,000 live viewers.

Senior officials from MHADA, Thane Municipal Corporation, and the Mumbai Repair and Reconstruction Board were present at the event. The program was anchored by MHADA Deputy Engineer Abhaykumar Kulkarni.

Also Read: MHADA puts a smile on the faces of 4640 families

The post MHADA to Build 8 Lakh Homes in 5 Years Under Affordable Housing Plan appeared first on Square Feat India.

The workshop, led by Sanjeev Jaiswal, IAS, Vice President & CEO of MHADA, focused on strategies to accelerate housing delivery, urban redevelopment, and infrastructure development within MMR. This initiative aims to propel the region’s GDP from $140 billion in 2023 to $300 billion by 2030, while delivering 3 million affordable homes and addressing the severe housing shortages in the region.

Ambitious Affordable Housing Targets

Jaiswal outlined MHADA’s ambitious goals for 2030, which include delivering 8 lakh affordable housing units across Mumbai and surrounding areas. Of these, 2.2 million homes will be created through slum rehabilitation (SRA), while 800,000 homes will come from MHADA’s own affordable housing schemes in collaboration with CIDCO. He stressed that private developers’ involvement would be crucial to achieving these targets, particularly in a region with significant untapped potential for housing development.

A key focus of the MMR Growth Hub Project is affordable housing. Jaiswal emphasized that MHADA is pivoting toward a diverse range of housing solutions to cater to the varying needs of MMR’s population, including rental housing, student accommodations, working women’s hostels, studio apartments, industrial housing, and old-age homes. These solutions are aimed at providing affordable living options for a wide spectrum of income groups.

To make housing more accessible, Jaiswal highlighted the need to revisit building permissions, premium charges, and taxes like GST, which he believes could significantly reduce the overall cost of housing. He also stressed that efficient collaboration between government agencies and private developers will be vital for the smooth and timely execution of redevelopment projects.

Fostering Collaboration and Addressing Challenges

The workshop also focused on the challenges faced by stakeholders in the housing and redevelopment sector. Milind Shambharkar, IAS, Chief Officer of the Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board, addressed regulatory hurdles that are hindering redevelopment efforts. He pointed to the need for policy reforms to expedite stalled projects, particularly in relation to the 33(7) and 33(9) provisions for redevelopment. He also proposed amendments that would allow faster approvals and smoother implementation of projects.

Shambharkar stressed the importance of 91(A), which mandates the demolition of unsafe buildings, to protect public safety. Additionally, he proposed the creation of an online portal to streamline the approval process for redevelopment proposals, improve transparency, and efficiently manage citizen grievances related to housing projects.

Sustainable Urban Development and Cluster Redevelopment

Milind Borikar, IAS, Chief Officer of the Mumbai Board, MHADA, further elaborated on the housing goals set for 2030, particularly the target of delivering 8 lakh units. He emphasized that redevelopment would play a central role in achieving these targets, with the development of 2,000 hectares of land earmarked for cluster-based redevelopment. This approach will not only ensure sustainable urban planning but also facilitate necessary infrastructure upgrades, such as roads, utilities, and public amenities, to support the growing population in MMR.

Borikar stressed that government collaboration to reduce project costs would be instrumental in making housing more affordable for middle- and low-income families. He also pointed to the significant potential of the MMR region to accommodate more housing units, given the underutilized areas and the need for efficient land use.

Innovative Housing Models for MMR’s Evolving Needs

In his concluding remarks, Anil Wankhede, Deputy CEO of MHADA, spoke about the importance of innovative housing models to meet the diverse needs of MMR’s population. He outlined plans for developing rental housing, student hostels, shared units, and industrial housing, which align with the region’s evolving urban demands. He also reiterated the pivotal role of cluster redevelopment in optimizing land use and creating integrated urban spaces, which can accommodate both residential and commercial needs.

Wankhede also emphasized that collaboration with private developers will be key in addressing challenges like stalled projects and surplus tenements, ensuring that redevelopment efforts are not delayed and the full potential of the MMR region is realized.

A Call for Collaboration and Commitment

The workshop concluded with a strong call for collaboration among government agencies, private developers, and citizens to meet the ambitious targets set for the MMR Growth Hub Project. MHADA reaffirmed its commitment to delivering affordable housing, redeveloping urban spaces, and contributing to Maharashtra’s broader economic and social transformation by 2030.

As the workshop demonstrated, the MMR Growth Hub Project represents a major step towards not only addressing Mumbai’s housing crisis but also driving the region’s economic growth and urban development. The success of this initiative will hinge on the active participation of all stakeholders and the creation of an enabling environment for faster and more affordable housing development.

Also Read: MHADA-lottery-page-3

The post MHADA Workshop Outlines Roadmap for MMR Growth Hub Project to Deliver 8 Lakh Affordable Homes by 2030 appeared first on Square Feat India.

By Varun Singh

On the unfortunate day of September 21, the entire nation woke up to the sad news of a building crumbling down in Bhiwandi.

Bhiwandi a suburb close to Mumbai witnessed the death of 38 people in the building collapse. In this incident 16 others were injured too.

It took over 5 months period and continuous follow ups for the families of the victims and the injured to be provided with compensation.

On Monday finally the families of the deceased and the injured were provided the compensation.

“38 families were provided Rs 5 lakh each and the injured were given Rs 50,000,” said local Bhiwandi MLA, Rais Shaikh.

In Shaikh’s own words, to see the families receive the compensation it took him a lot of efforts.

“The file seeking compensation was first rejected due to bureaucratic issues citing the reason of the building being illegal,” said Shaikh.

However, Shaikh then followed up with the minister concern and finally got the compensation sanctioned.

Of the Rs 5 lakh, 2 lakh is from the central government and the rest is from state government.

Cluster Redevelopment For Bhiwandi

Bhiwandi has many buildings which are in dilapidated condition and the city in several parts needs urgent planning for redevelopment.

Shaikh says that he has received an assurance from Eknath Shinde, the Minister for Urban Development department, that plans from Bhiwandi seeking cluster redevelopment will sail through smoothly.

The MLA claims that within three months he shall be submitting files to the concerned government departments in regards to cluster redevelopment.

Under cluster redevelopment single buildings aren’t redeveloped, but a cluster of buildings are redeveloped.

This helps in providing better planning and amenities to the residents.

Also Read: Why Bhiwandi Residents Do Not Abandon Dilapidated Buildings?

The post Bhiwandi Building Collapse Victims Receive 5 Lac After 5 Months appeared first on Square Feat India.