22 September,2011 07:53 AM IST | | Ravikiran Deshmukh
The ambitious plans include using land in No-Development Zones to relocate shanties that are situated at dangerous locations in the city, such as amid hillocks, and making slums constructed before 1995 eligible for redevelopment
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who recently unveiled his 5-pronged plan to 'resurrect' Mumbai, is now working hard with his cabinet to realise the ambitious scheme of rehabilitating over 20,000 slums in the city, nestled in the hillocks of Mumbai. Many of these came up before 1995, and were ineligible for redevelopment.u00a0
Grand slums: A committee consisting of experts from IIT and officers
from MHADA's slum improvement board recommended the relocation of
over 10,000 slums, which are nestled in dangerous locations in the hillocks
at Saki Naka, Kurla, Ghatkopar and Vikhroli. FILE PIC
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting held at Mantralaya, under the aegis of Chavan. This is a path-breaking venture, considering that the previous scheme had barred slums constructed before 1995 from being redeveloped. At present, there are over 13.5 lakh slum dwellers in the city residing in shanties constructed before 1995.
Sources from the government told MiD DAY that land for the rehabilitation has already been earmarked.
To encourage developers, the cabinet has decided to grant them extra Floor Space Index (FSI), which they can exploit for commercial gains, and recover the cost of redeveloping the shanties.
A committee consisting of experts from IIT and officers from MHADA's Slum Improvement Board recommended the relocation of over 10,000 slums, which are nestled in dangerous locations on the hillocks at Saki Naka, Kurla, Ghatkopar and Vikhroli. The remaining 10,000-plus slums will be redeveloped at the site itself.
The rehabilitation plans include the construction of a playground, recreational grounds, and other amenities.
The state will be approaching the Bombay High Court and other concerned bodies to request that about 170 sq km of land in the city's suburbs, which has been categorised as No-Development Zone (NDZ), should be opened up for redevelopment, and for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers.
In conversation with MiD DAY recently, Chavan confirmed that the plans were under active consideration.
