Now, management consultant for Dharavi redevelopment

MHADA has invited tenders to appoint a project management consultant to prepare a proper plan to expedite work on the redevelopment of slum dwellers in Sector 5

The Mharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has decided to appoint a project management consultant (PMC) for the first phase of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) i.e. in Sector 5.

SPEEDING IT UP: 17.22 hectares in Sector 5, Dharavi, will be redeveloped. Representation pic

The redevelopment in this sector is the first of the landmark project to provide tenements to the inhabitants of one of Asia’s largest slums. The construction work in Sector 5 is the pilot scheme of the project — this portion was chosen because it was easiest to work upon, as compared to other sectors.

MHADA released advertisements in newspapers inviting bids for the appointment of a PMC for the project. Confirming the same, P A Sawant, chief engineer of MHADA’s project planning division, said, “We want to expedite redevelopment work in Sector 5. So we have floated tenders for the appointment of a PMC.

The appointed consultant will help us prepare a detailed development plan for the entire sector, based on the layout, including the buildings and laying of roads.”

At present, records show that there are 10,984 hutments in the sector — this figure was arrived at after Mashal, an NGO, conducted a survey. However, a MHADA official told mid-day on condition of anonymity, “The survey was done many years ago. There are chances that the number of shanties have increased.” The housing body’s chief officer for the DRP will appoint officers to conduct a fresh survey. The PMC will also be entrusted with the responsibility of verifying the people who are eligible for getting the redeveloped homes.

The patch of land spans 62.05 hectares, but some part of it is government land and high-tension electricity lines pass through another portion. Excluding these
parts, and the land under the Coastal Regulation Zone, 17.22 hectares will be redeveloped.

It should be noted that MHADA has already started construction of two multi-storey towers — permission has been granted to go up to 13 floors.

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