Mumbai: 17,000 slum dwellers to get homes as Ramabai Nagar redevelopment begins

Around 17000 slum dwellers will get free homes as redevelopment of Mata Ramabai Nagar in Mumbais Ghatkopar area kicked off on TuesdayAn official ceremony Bhoomipujan for the redevelopment of Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamaraj Nagar was conducted on Tuesday marking the start of 4345 new homes under Phase 1 of a major slum rehabilitation project in cityThe event was attended by Maharashtras Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and other senior ministers and officials from Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority SRAMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called it a historic day and said this was not just a promise but real developmentHe said ldquoNo one will be left out even if legal issues exist This is Ambedkarrsquos vision in actionrdquoThis is the first time in MMRDArsquos 50year history that it is taking on a redevelopment project as a developer The project aims to rehabilitate 17000 slumdwelling families transforming their living conditions from slums into modern wellequipped homes an official statement saidAccording to the MMRDA in just three and a half months the MMRDA has finalised development agreements with nearly 10000 familiescleared 3662 slum structuresarranged Rs 1500 crore in funding from a nationalised bank completed tendering for construction appointed architects and consultants and paid Rs 1375 crore in advance rent to eligible familiesIt said that all was completed between June and October 2025Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said ldquoAfter 40 years of waiting people will finally have dignified homes A memorial to Mata Ramabai Ambedkar and a commercial unit for the family of martyr Murali Naik will also be builtrdquoThe total project area is 3182 hectares and includes both residential and commercial development Out of this 1563 hectares of government and PWD land have already been handed over to MMRDA the statement saidIt said that the scheme includes a free 1 BHK homes 300 sq ft carpet area for all eligible families commercial hubs to support employment and womens empowerment postconstruction 10year maintenance by the contractorDeputy CM Ajit Pawar added ldquoThis project stands for dignity justice and inclusive growth I have requested that the quality matches that of the BDD Chawl RedevelopmentrdquoThe project will have modern amenities like parks gyms playgrounds libraries health centres and community halls and will also have facilities like sewage and water treatment plants solar panels and rainwater harvesting the officials saidThey said that each home will be equipped with vitrified tile flooring granite kitchen counters modern bathrooms and adequate ventilation and sunlight The estimated construction cost of Phase 1 is Rs 1299 crore and the completion time is 36 monthsMMRDA Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said this marks a turning point in Mumbairsquos urban futureHe said ldquoWe are building more than homes We are building hope dignity and opportunityrdquo