In a transformative collaboration, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) have forged an alliance to revitalise 15,000 slums in Ghatkopar’s Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamraj Nagar.
The strategic partnership was formalised through a signed agreement on Tuesday, witnessed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who advocated the establishment of a special purpose vehicle for streamlined project execution. In a move to expedite the redevelopment of Mumbai’s slums and clear encroachments along the Eastern and Western Express Highways, the state government has orchestrated the coordination of key entities, including the BMC, its Thane counterpart, the City and Industrial Development Corporation, and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority. Under this ambitious initiative, the clearance of 2,000 slums along the Eastern and Western Express Highways has already commenced, marking a significant step towards urban rejuvenation.
Addressing the pressing need for housing and infrastructure development, the initiative encompasses the revamp of Thane bus depots, aiming to resettle project-affected slum dwellers on government land surrounding these transportation hubs. The reclaimed land will then be allocated to development authorities, aligning with Chief Minister Shinde’s vision to make Thane a slum-free zone. Simultaneously, key projects in Thane have received accelerated administrative approval, including the Balkum-Gaimukh creek coastal road, the extension of Eastern Freeway from Chheda Nagar, Ghatkopar, to Thane, and the construction of an 8.25-km elevated road from Anand Nagar, Eastern Express Highway to Saket. Additional projects gaining momentum include the construction of a road from Kasarvadavali, Thane, to Kharbao, Bhiwandi, the Airoli-Katai Naka tunnel, and the Gaimukh-Payegaon creek bridge. In a noteworthy announcement, the state government unveiled plans for a pod taxi service, set to alleviate commuting challenges to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Approved by the MMRDA, the pod taxi service will operate on an 8.8-km route between Bandra and Kurla railway stations, offering a public-private partnership model with a capacity for six passengers, a speed of 40 km/hour, and 38 designated halts. This comprehensive approach towards urban development underscores the collaborative efforts of key authorities to address housing, infrastructure, and transportation challenges, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable and vibrant Mumbai.
