The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) recently held a workshop to discuss the roadmap for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) Growth Hub Project. The event, which brought together key stakeholders such as private developers and construction professionals, outlined a bold vision for transforming the region into a robust economic and housing hub.
The workshop, led by MHADA Vice President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal, underscored the project’s alignment with Niti Aayog’s long-term economic transformation goals for India. The MMR Growth Hub Project aims to significantly boost the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $140 billion in 2023 to an estimated $300 billion by 2030. In addition to economic growth, the project focuses on developing critical infrastructure, fostering sustainability, and promoting inclusivity. A core objective of the MMR Growth Hub is the delivery of 3 million affordable homes by 2030. Of these, 2.2 million units will be constructed through slum rehabilitation (SRA) initiatives, while the remaining 800,000 homes will be part of affordable housing schemes led by MHADA and CIDCO. This ambitious target aims to address the growing housing needs of Mumbai’s population, particularly for low and middle-income families.
Jaiswal stressed the crucial role of private developers in meeting these goals, highlighting the importance of revising building permissions, premium charges, and taxes to make housing more affordable. He also pointed to the need for regulatory reforms to expedite stalled projects, particularly those hindered by outdated policies under sections 33(7) and 33(9). Milind Shambharkar, chief officer of the Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board, called for amendments to these policies to facilitate faster approvals and ensure that housing projects remain on track. The MMR Growth Hub Project is seen as a comprehensive strategy to improve not only housing but also the overall quality of life in the region. The seven key pillars of the project include affordable housing, the creation of global service hubs, tourism and recreation, transit-oriented development, and advanced infrastructure. By fostering inclusive growth, the initiative hopes to reshape MMR into a global metropolis with a vibrant and sustainable urban ecosystem.
