MUMBAI: Approximately seven lakh slum dwellers will benefit from the slum cluster redevelopment scheme, as informed to CM Devendra Fadnavis during the 16th meeting of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) on Friday at the Sahyadri state guesthouse.
SRA chief Mahendra Kalyankar stated, “Due to the limited response to joint venture projects and stalled schemes, the government has decided to promote integrated and sustainable development under the Slum Cluster Redevelopment scheme, in alignment with the state housing policy for 2025.” He added that the process to identify slum cluster areas is underway.
During the meeting, an additional Rs 97 crore was approved for the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamaraj Nagar redevelopment project by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), raising the total project funding to Rs 597 crore. Fadnavis emphasized a thorough review of rehabilitation tenements under various slum rehabilitation schemes. Additionally, Rs 333 crore was allocated for the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe international memorial in Ghatkopar, with instructions to offer housing under the rental scheme to ineligible slum dwellers affected by the project for quick completion of the memorial.
BMC engineers collaborating with the SRA will be absorbed as employees of the authority, accounting for 30% of the total sanctioned engineer strength, as stated by SRA officials.
The SRA is regarded as one of the most desirable positions for engineers, with reports of lobbying to remain with the authority post their three-year tenure. Many engineers reportedly declined to return to the BMC even after a decade.
The CM approved the absorption of engineers, clerical staff, and Group D employees on contract with the authority.
