Mumbai, India: A simmering dispute has erupted in Bharat Nagar, a residential area within the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), over a proposed redevelopment project under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme. Residents vehemently oppose the SRA plan, insisting that their land should be developed by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) instead.
The controversy has gained traction following the murder of a government official, which has led to the Mumbai Crime Branch investigating files related to the redevelopment of Bharat Nagar. The deceased official, believed to have been involved in protecting the MHADA land parcel from private developers, was allegedly killed due to conflicts arising from the redevelopment projects in Bharat Nagar and Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar. Bharat Nagar, a 1,78,000 square meter MHADA layout land, is home to approximately 25,000 residents, including 3,145 legal MHADA tenants. The area comprises 64 chawls spread across 12 different plots.
Residents claim that they were relocated to BKC from Bandra West in 1975 under a slum clearance scheme and have been legal tenants ever since. Despite repeated attempts by private builders to redevelop Bharat Nagar under the SRA scheme, residents have consistently rejected these proposals. They argue that their land falls under the MHADA layout and that redevelopment should proceed under the 33/5 MHADA scheme, which offers incentives for residents to approach the MHADA for redevelopment proposals. Residents have filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court seeking to protect their rights and ensure that the redevelopment project is carried out by MHADA. They emphasize that they are not opposed to development but insist on being treated fairly and equitably.
The SRA, however, maintains that Bharat Nagar falls under its jurisdiction due to annexure 2 of the MHADA regulations. The SRA claims that the area has been encroached upon, making it difficult for MHADA to develop land for both encroachers and leaseholders. As a result, the SRA has been granted the authority to redevelop the area under the SRA scheme. The conflict between residents and the SRA underscores the complexities of urban redevelopment in Mumbai. While the SRA aims to provide affordable housing to slum dwellers, residents often face challenges in navigating the bureaucratic processes and ensuring their rights are protected. The ongoing dispute in Bharat Nagar highlights the need for transparent and equitable redevelopment plans that address the concerns of all stakeholders.
