The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared a landmark policy for the integrated and cluster redevelopment of ageing MHADA colonies across Mumbai and its suburbs. Under the new framework, developers will no longer need to obtain individual written consent from residents before initiating redevelopment. This change applies specifically to MHADA colonies spread across 20 acres or more, covering approximately 56 major MHADA colonies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The government has justified removing the individual consent requirement on the grounds that the policy offers the highest possible rehabilitation FSI (Floor Space Index), ensuring that all residents receive larger and better-designed homes with upgraded amenities.
Consent Resolution Still Required from Societies
Although individual consent is no longer necessary, developers chosen via a competitive tender process must still secure a formal consent resolution passed by the cooperative housing society representing the residents. This is aimed at ensuring collective decision-making, transparency, and adequate representation of the members’ interests before redevelopment begins.
Key Features of the New MHADA Redevelopment Policy
The policy is designed to modernise large, ageing MHADA layouts while maintaining affordability. It promises a significant boost to infrastructure, planning standards and amenities available to residents. Major highlights include:
• Maximum Rehabilitation FSI: The state claims this is the highest FSI permissible, enabling better rehabilitation housing and feasibility for developers.
• Larger Homes: All residents will receive flats larger than their existing units under the revised FSI rules.
• Modern Amenities & Facilities: Redeveloped colonies will include upgraded infrastructure such as elevators, adequate parking, landscaped gardens, parks, community halls, gyms, swimming pools, CCTV networks and improved internal roads.
• Eco-Friendly Infrastructure: Water supply networks, drainage systems, electricity infrastructure and sewage disposal systems will be designed to meet modern environmental standards.
• Holistic Township Planning: Redevelopment plans will integrate schools, healthcare centres, green zones and commercial spaces to create self-sufficient townships rather than standalone buildings.
Why the Policy Was Needed
MHADA’s Mumbai Board has historically constructed 56 colonies for MIG and LIG groups, which collectively form nearly 5,000 cooperative housing societies. Many of these buildings are now dilapidated, structurally unsafe or beyond economic repair due to age.
Redevelopment of such old MHADA layouts has been slow mainly because obtaining individual consent from thousands of residents was extremely challenging. The new policy aims to break this logjam and accelerate reconstruction to provide safe, modern housing for all residents.
MHADA as the Planning Authority for Large Projects
For integrated township redevelopment of 114 identified projects, MHADA will now function as the planning authority, enabling faster approval cycles and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. The state expects this policy to unlock a large stock of affordable homes in Mumbai and boost overall urban rejuvenation.
Conclusion
By eliminating the individual consent requirement for large MHADA layouts and offering higher FSI for rehabilitation, the Maharashtra government aims to fast-track redevelopment across aging public housing colonies. With the promise of larger homes, modern infrastructure and integrated township planning, the policy is expected to reshape significant parts of Mumbai’s residential landscape.
