Eknath Shinde Inspects Redevelopment Plans, Promises Housing Policy Soon
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conducted an inspection of six redevelopment projects in the Prabhadevi area of Mumbai on Thursday. This inspection was followed by a review meeting on the pending redevelopment efforts in Dadar, Mahim, and Prabhadevi divisions.
The meeting, chaired by Shinde, took place at the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Auditorium in Shivaji Park and was attended by several public representatives, including Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir Trust President Sada Sarvankar, Milind Saundkar of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and a host of local residents from the concerned areas. The Deputy CM outlined the vision for the mass redevelopment plan, which will be carried out in collaboration with multiple agencies such as SRA, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The comprehensive redevelopment plan aims to address Mumbai’s housing challenges by providing spacious homes with essential amenities, including gardens, health facilities, and open grounds.
Housing Policy Focused on All Segments
Shinde revealed that the Maharashtra government is preparing to unveil a new housing policy that will focus on providing housing for various segments of society, including senior citizens, students, working women, mill workers, and those in need of affordable rental housing. The policy will include provisions through MHADA, ensuring that affordable and spacious homes are made available to Mumbaikars from all walks of life. The government is also exploring options to speed up the redevelopment process, particularly where developers have abandoned projects or failed to pay rents to residents. “The government is committed to providing a spacious house to common Mumbaikars,” Shinde said. He further emphasised that if necessary, changes will be made to existing laws and regulations to facilitate affordable housing for the public, in consultation with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He assured that stalled redevelopment works would be expedited through a mass redevelopment approach.
Shinde also touched upon the ongoing community development scheme in Thane, highlighting that efforts are being made to address the challenges faced during large-scale redevelopment initiatives. The Deputy CM reiterated that his government is committed to ensuring that every Mumbaikar has the opportunity to own a beautiful and spacious home. Before beginning his inspection of the redevelopment projects, Shinde visited the Siddhivinayak temple and announced a substantial Rs 500 crore allocation for the temple’s development. The revamped temple, he stated, will offer better facilities for devotees, alleviating the inconvenience caused during their visits. These strategic initiatives aim to address both Mumbai’s chronic housing shortages and the need for infrastructural improvements, paving the way for more efficient, affordable, and spacious living for its growing population.
