The move follows approval by the state cabinet and Chief Minister on October 14, 2025, and the official government order issued by Chandrashekhar Taware, Deputy Secretary, Housing Department, on November 13, 2025.

A Step Toward a Slum-Free Mumbai

The new scheme aims to bring all contiguous slum areas exceeding 50 acres under a single redevelopment plan, thereby addressing fragmented and delayed rehabilitation efforts that have plagued Mumbai’s slum redevelopment model for years.

According to the government resolution, these clusters may include slum pockets, old chawls, unsafe tenanted buildings, and even government or institutional lands — without restrictions on land ownership type.

SRA to Act as Nodal Agency

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), Mumbai, will serve as the nodal agency for identifying, demarcating, and executing cluster projects.
Each cluster must have at least 51% slum occupation within the total area.

Once the cluster is approved, no separate NOC (No Objection Certificate) will be required from land-owning authorities, significantly cutting red tape and accelerating project initiation.

High-Power Committee to Vet Projects

A High-Power Committee (HPC) will vet and approve proposed clusters before they are sanctioned under Section 3K of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971.

Committee Composition:

• Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary (Housing) – Chairperson
• Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary (Urban Development-I) – Member
• Commissioner, BMC – Member
• CEO, SRA – Member Secretary
• Representative of concerned land-owning authority – Member

Phase-Wise Redevelopment and Tenant Protections

The scheme allows phase-wise redevelopment, ensuring that rehabilitation, rent payment, and construction progress occur simultaneously.
Developers will be required to provide rent compensation with post-dated cheques to eligible slum dwellers during construction.

Every rehabilitation building must include a Community Hall of 2% built-up area or 200 sq. ft. per building, whichever is higher, while at least 12% of total slum area must be kept as open space — reducible to 8% in constrained plots with HPC approval.

Inclusion of CRZ and Non-Slum Structures

In a notable inclusion, slums in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-I and CRZ-II) will also be eligible for redevelopment under this scheme, subject to environmental clearance.
Rehabilitation may take place in-situ or within a 5 km radius.

The cluster may also include non-slum structures like industrial or commercial units. Such structures can be redeveloped proportionately, and private developers can be appointed through joint ventures, tenders, or direct nomination if they already control over 40% of the land in the cluster.

Flexibility for Landowners and Government Lands

Private landowners may voluntarily join the scheme and will receive compensatory FSI or TDR in return.
If they refuse participation, land acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 can be undertaken, with costs borne by the developer.

Government and institutional leasehold lands will automatically be included, ensuring rehabilitation for lessees and occupants.

FSI and Development Incentives

Developers will receive global FSI on a pro-rata basis depending on project composition.
Additional saleable FSI may be granted for constructing extra tenements for Project Affected Persons (PAPs).

If reserved plots are utilized for redevelopment, the landowner will be compensated with 4 FSI as TDR or equivalent in-situ FSI as per SRA rules.

Implementation and Oversight

All cluster projects will undergo phase-wise scrutiny by the HPC, and the SRA CEO will have powers to levy penalties for project delays.
The state government will amend DCPR 2034 regulations as required to integrate this new framework.

A Systemic Reform for Mumbai’s Urban Landscape

Officials said the new framework is expected to replace fragmented SRA projects with integrated urban redevelopment, helping prevent project delays and ensuring livable, planned communities.

“This is the most ambitious step in three decades of slum rehabilitation policy,” said a senior housing department official. “By focusing on large clusters, the scheme ensures faster clearance of unsafe zones and better infrastructure outcomes.”

Also Read: Supreme Court Clears Redevelopment of Bharat Nagar Slum in Bandra

The post Government Launches Slum Cluster Scheme: 50+ Acre Projects Under SRA, No Slum Dweller Consent Required appeared first on Square Feat India.

More than 50% of Mumbai’s population continues to live in slums or unstructured housing — a reality that defines both the city’s urban challenge and its development potential. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), established to transform this landscape, has now launched a technology-driven reform agenda aimed at fast-tracking redevelopment projects, improving transparency, and restoring confidence among developers and slum dwellers alike.

According to official estimates, Mumbai has more than 2,000 notified slum clusters spread across nearly 9,000 acres, with over 10 lakh slum structures. The scale and complexity of rehabilitation make this digital transformation a major step toward creating a slum-free Mumbai.

Tech-powered transformation of SRA

Under the leadership of Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, CEO of SRA, the authority unveiled a series of digital initiatives designed to make project approvals faster, transparent, and data-secure.

Among the highlights:

• A Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC)-approved multilingual website, accessible in over 25 languages, for easier access to information.
• An integrated online module with multiple access layers for different users — officers, architects, developers, and the general public — ensuring accountability.
• Blockchain technology to store and secure approval records, making tampering nearly impossible.
• Chatbots and digital dashboards to help slum residents and developers track applications in real time.
• A goal to map every slum structure in Mumbai by end-2025, creating a unified digital database.

Dr. Kalyankar said his team is also implementing Auto-DCR (Digital Construction Permissions) and time-bound eviction programs to remove non-cooperative structures within 45 days. “We are driven by one mission — to make Mumbai slum-free through transparency, technology, and teamwork,” he said.

Developer bodies surprised by SRA’s digital strides

The meeting, attended by senior representatives from CREDAI-MCHI, NAREDCO, BDA, and PEATA, began as a request for “ease of doing business” but turned into what several termed “a pleasant surprise.”

Sukhraj Nahar, President, CREDAI-MCHI, said:

“My company had never ventured into slum rehabilitation projects before, largely because of doubts about their viability. But after today’s presentation, I have a completely different perspective. The level of digitisation and the positive, development-oriented approach of SRA have created the right environment for slum redevelopment to succeed.”

Rushi Mehta, Secretary, CREDAI-MCHI, called the data-integration plan “a game changer.”

“By collating Aadhaar, PAN, electoral rolls, and electricity bills under one software, SRA can now generate Annexure-2 approvals in a single click — a process that earlier took 6 to 9 months. Linking Aadhaar to each family’s permanent home ensures only genuine beneficiaries receive homes and prevents multiple claims,” he said.

Rajan Bandelkar, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO, praised the SRA’s proactive approach:

“Under Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar’s leadership, the SRA is setting a new benchmark in governance and efficiency. These advanced digital systems will accelerate project approvals and restore developers’ confidence in slum rehabilitation schemes. With renewed momentum and accountability, Mumbai can truly move toward a slum-free future.”

Abhay Chandak, Vice President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, commended the new SOPs that allow demolition of non-cooperative structures within 45 days.

“In Worli, around 1,000 illegal structures were cleared within a month — actual demolition in just three days. This shows SRA’s renewed determination to create an environment where developers can execute projects without obstruction,” he said.

Vikram Mehta, President, Builders’ Association of India (BDA), said that the reforms also tackle new encroachments:

“It’s equally important to stop new slum constructions as it is to rehabilitate existing ones. The new encroachment-tracking cell uses satellite data to detect and flag new structures for immediate action. That’s a huge leap forward.”

Why these reforms matter

• For slum residents: Faster, more transparent approvals mean quicker movement from unsafe informal settlements to formal homes. Linking data ensures fairness and prevents fraud.
• For developers: The new digital ecosystem cuts paperwork, increases predictability, and reduces risk — encouraging more developers to take up rehabilitation projects.
• For Mumbai: Clearing and rebuilding slum clusters will improve infrastructure, reduce disaster risk, and bring large swathes of urban land into productive use.

Dr. Kalyankar emphasized that the reforms are not just about technology but about trust.

“SRA 2.0 is about speed, transparency, and accountability. We want every slum dweller to feel that their home, dignity, and future are at the heart of what we do,” he said.

Toward a slum-free Mumbai

For years, the SRA has faced criticism over slow progress — only a fraction of approved schemes have reached completion. But with the integration of digital processes, real-time monitoring, and strict timelines, stakeholders believe this could mark a genuine turning point.

The collaboration between SRA and major real-estate bodies signals a shared intent to transform the slum landscape of Mumbai into a more equitable, sustainable, and efficient urban environment. As NAREDCO’s Rajan Bandelkar summed it up — “With this digital leap, we are not just building houses; we are rebuilding trust.”

Also Read: Financial Institutions To Redevelop Stuck SRA projects

The post SRA Unveils Technology-Driven Reforms to Accelerate Slum Rehabilitation Across Mumbai appeared first on Square Feat India.

550 to 600 Acres Required for Resettling Ineligible Residents

Srinivas revealed that approximately 550 to 600 acres of land outside Dharavi are needed to resettle ineligible residents. This land is crucial for providing housing to those who do not qualify under the current eligibility criteria for in-situ redevelopment within Dharavi.

Final Planning and Survey Work Progressing

The final planning phase of the project is almost complete, and the proposal will soon be presented. Survey work is moving ahead rapidly, with 10,000 resident surveys already completed. The goal is to finish all surveys by March 2025. Efforts to obtain the necessary permits are also progressing, with a target to start actual construction within the next six months.

Redevelopment to Begin on Railway Land

The construction will initially focus on redeveloping railway land. New residential buildings will be erected, which will eliminate the need for temporary shelters and provide direct, permanent housing solutions for Dharavi residents.

A Major Step Towards a Slum-Free Mumbai

The commencement of construction on the Dharavi Redevelopment Project marks a significant milestone toward achieving a slum-free Mumbai. This development represents the most substantial progress in this direction in recent years, with construction activities slated to begin shortly and set to transform the landscape of one of Mumbai’s most challenging urban areas.

Also Read: Survey of Dharavi to commence on 18th March

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