The master plan was presented by Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and CEO of MHADA, marking a major milestone in what is being described as India’s largest urban redevelopment initiative.

A 143-Acre Mega Redevelopment in Mumbai

Spread across approximately 143 acres, the Motilal Nagar 1, 2, and 3 colonies project is being executed under the Construction & Development Agency (C&DA) model by the Adani Group.

Located in the heart of suburban Mumbai, the project is set to transform one of the city’s oldest housing clusters into a modern, planned township.

From 260 Sq Ft to 1,600 Sq Ft: A Historic Upgrade

One of the most striking aspects of the project is the scale of rehabilitation being offered:

• 3,702 eligible residents will receive
  ~1,600 sq ft RERA carpet homes (free of cost)
• 328 commercial occupants will get
  ~987 sq ft commercial units
• ~1,600 slum dwellers will be rehabilitated with
  300 sq ft homes under SRA provisions

This jump—from around 260 sq ft tenements to 1,600 sq ft homes—is being seen as unprecedented in Mumbai’s redevelopment history.

Vision: A “15-Minute City”

The project is being designed as a self-sustained 15-minute city, where residents will have access to essential services within close proximity.

Planned amenities include:

• Schools, hospitals, and clinics
• Markets and commercial complexes
• Parks and green zones
• Jogging and cycling tracks
• Senior citizen zones and playgrounds
• Cultural halls and gymnasiums

The idea is to create a “Live, Work, Play” ecosystem within the township.

Focus on Green and Sustainable Living

Despite Mumbai’s space constraints, the plan includes:

• ~15 acres of green open spaces
• Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Solar energy integration
• Smart security (CCTV, access control)
• Advanced fire safety systems

Solving Legacy Issues

Originally built in the 1960s, Motilal Nagar has faced:

• Waterlogging due to low-lying terrain
• Aging infrastructure
• Congestion and poor planning

The redevelopment aims to address these through:

• Improved drainage systems
• Better internal road networks
• Modern water supply infrastructure

Policy Push and Timeline

The Maharashtra government has granted Special Planning Authority status to MHADA for this project.

According to officials:

• The project had been pending for nearly two decades
• It has now gained momentum under the leadership of
  • Devendra Fadnavis
  • Eknath Shinde

MHADA has set a target to complete the project within 7 years after receiving the Occupation Certificate.

Why This Project Matters

This redevelopment is more than just a housing upgrade—it represents:

• A new benchmark for rehab housing size in Mumbai
• A shift towards planned, large-scale urban redevelopment
• A model that could influence future MHADA and SRA projects

Delivering 1,600 sq ft rehab homes challenges the long-standing norm of compact rehabilitation units in the city.

Final Take

The Motilal Nagar Redevelopment Project stands at the intersection of ambition and necessity.

If executed as planned, it could:

• Transform the lives of thousands of residents
• Set a precedent for future redevelopment projects
• Redefine what “rehabilitation housing” means in Mumbai

Also Read: Motilal Nagar Redevelopment to Offer 1,600 Sq. Ft. Apartments to Residents

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During the discussion, a representative from the community narrated how the project, which aimed to transform one of Mumbai’s oldest and most congested areas, was brought to a halt due to a sudden third-party claim under the Waqf Act.

A Visionary Project Meets Legal Hurdles

The Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project, undertaken by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), is one of the largest cluster redevelopment projects in India. Envisioned as a model for sustainable urban renewal, it aims to rehabilitate thousands of residents living in dilapidated buildings while preserving the area’s cultural identity.

• Total Project Area: 16.5 acres
• Buildings Impacted: Over 250 old structures
• Residents to be rehoused: Approx. 3,200
• Commercial units: Around 1,250 shops and businesses

SBUT began acquiring properties in phases, and by 2015, had secured several clusters comprising both residential and commercial units.

However, in 2019, the project hit an unexpected roadblock.

Waqf Claim by Third Parties Derails Progress

According to the community member, “In 2015, we purchased a cluster of buildings with tenants and shops for the purpose of redevelopment. Everything was legally registered. But four years later, in 2019, two individuals—one from Nashik and another from Ahmedabad—appeared, claiming that the property was Waqf land.”

These individuals had no direct ownership or stake in the land. Despite this, using provisions in the Waqf Act, they approached authorities and stalled the project by asserting that the land was religious trust property.

Such claims, even when unsubstantiated, often lead to long legal battles or intervention by Waqf Boards, which can delay or completely derail projects—even if no such property is listed as Waqf in official records.

Modi Government’s Amendment Brings Clarity

Prime Minister Modi responded to the concerns by pointing to recent amendments brought into the Waqf Act, 1995. The central government has sought to introduce greater transparency and legal safeguards to prevent the misuse of Waqf claims, especially when it comes to privately owned or redeveloped properties.

Key features of the amendment include:

• Protection from frivolous claims: Only registered Waqf properties with documented evidence can be brought under Waqf control.
• Third-party restrictions: Individuals with no legal ownership or stake cannot raise Waqf claims arbitrarily.
• Clear dispute resolution mechanism: Disputes must now be resolved through courts, not unilaterally by Waqf Boards.
• Digitization of records: Waqf property records will be digitized and made publicly accessible for transparency.

Community Response and Significance

The Bohra community welcomed the reform and expressed relief that future redevelopment work would not be halted by such arbitrary interventions.

“Thousands of people—families, shopkeepers, workers—were affected because of an unverified claim. This amendment will now help communities like ours to contribute positively to urban transformation without fear of sudden legal blocks,” the community representative said.

The Bhendi Bazaar case serves as a prime example of the kind of legal uncertainties that plague urban development in India. With the new amendments to the Waqf Act, developers and community trusts can expect a more stable legal environment—especially when the aim is public good.

Also Read: Dawood Ibrahim, Haseena Parkar And Iqbal Mirchi, 2019 Also Dealt with Properties Of These Underworld Connections

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