MUMBAI – A monumental urban regeneration project is officially underway in South Mumbai’s historic Kamathipura, as the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), a key division of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), released a tender on June 12 for a construction and development agency. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for an area steeped in history, aiming to reshape its landscape into a modern “Urban Village.”
The ambitious cluster redevelopment, spanning approximately 34 acres across Kamathipura’s lanes 1 to 15, encompasses a net plot area of about 73,144.84 square meters. The project seeks to provide permanent, secure housing to an estimated 8,001 residents, comprising 6,625 residential and 1,376 non-residential tenants. Additionally, around 800 landowners within the precinct are poised to benefit. Many of the existing 943 dilapidated cessed and non-cess buildings, some over a century old, alongside 14 religious structures and two BMC-run schools, are slated for this comprehensive overhaul.
This long-awaited transformation addresses the urgent need for revitalization in one of Mumbai’s most densely populated neighborhoods. The Maharashtra government had initially approved this significant undertaking on January 12, 2023, designating MHADA as the nodal agency under Regulation 33(9) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. Subsequently, Mahimtura Consultants were appointed as the project management consultants to craft the detailed blueprint, officially titled the “Kamathipura Cluster Redevelopment Project Urban Village.”
The redevelopment aims for more than just new housing; it envisions a holistic upgrade of the area’s infrastructure, including the development of contemporary commercial spaces and essential recreational grounds. This comprehensive approach underscores a commitment to fostering a vibrant urban environment.
A critical aspect of the project is its expected contribution to Mumbai’s overall housing stock. The selected developer will make 44,000 square meters of land available to MHADA. In return, the developer will receive 5,67,000 square meters of development rights, which is anticipated to facilitate the construction of approximately 4,500 new housing units. This innovative financial model is designed to be attractive to developers, as it accommodates both tenants and landlords without requiring land acquisition or direct compensation to landlords.
Landowners are set to receive new housing units based on their original plot sizes, a compensation policy finalized under a government resolution dated July 2, 2024. For plots up to 50 square meters, one 500 square feet housing unit will be allocated. Plots between 51 and 100 square meters will qualify for two such units, while those from 101 to 150 square meters will receive three. Larger plots, ranging from 151 to 200 square meters, will be provided with four units, with an additional 500 square feet unit granted for every subsequent 50 square meters.
This project is not without its historical context. Kamathipura, originally known as Lal Bazaar, emerged after 1795 with the construction of causeways that linked Mumbai’s seven islands, eventually drawing “Kamathis” (laborers) who gave the area its current name. Its history, often associated with a red-light district, has evolved, and this redevelopment seeks to shed outdated perceptions, creating a modern, family-friendly environment. The project is planned in six phases, a testament to its scale and complexity, and has received strong support from key political figures including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, MP Arvind Sawant, and notably, MLA Amin Patel, who has championed this cause for nearly two decades.
With the tender process open until July 28 for developers, the Kamathipura redevelopment project is poised to transform South Mumbai’s urban fabric, promising a brighter future for thousands of its long-standing residents.
