Mumbai: Kamathipura Redevelopment Clears Major Hurdle, MHADA Floats Tenders
Mumbai, 10th June 2025: In a major breakthrough, the long-pending redevelopment of Kamathipura has officially begun to move forward after months of administrative delays. The Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board of MHADA has floated tenders to appoint a Construction and Development (C&D) agency, finally paving the way for the long-awaited transformation of the 34-acre area.
The tenders were floated on Thursday, following the state government’s approval of the proposal. As per the tender notice, interested developers can submit bids from June 12 to July 28. The selected private developer will undertake the massive redevelopment project aimed at rehabilitating 8,001 tenants living in dangerously dilapidated structures in the area.
Spread across 1,39,537.57 square meters in South Mumbai, Kamathipura comprises 475 cessed and 163 non-cessed buildings, 15 already rebuilt buildings, and several PMGP structures. However, the area has suffered from years of neglect, with 52 buildings having collapsed, including 15 religious places, two schools, four government offices, and eight other structures.
The project gained momentum when MHADA’s repair board was handed responsibility for the redevelopment. In 2023, the board commissioned Mahimtura Consultancy to draft the redevelopment plan, which was later approved. However, the tender process faced delays due to objections regarding the grant of Special Planning Authority (SPA) status to MHADA, a key requirement for such large-scale urban renewal projects.
The deadlock was broken on April 15, 2025, when the board received clearance to issue the tenders. Officials noted that the approval was a turning point, allowing the tender process to begin without further delays.
According to the C&D model tender, the Repair Board will be allotted a minimum of 44,000 square meters of built-up area, to be used for housing and administrative purposes. The developer will receive rights to develop approximately 5.67 lakh square meters, incentivizing them to offer more than the base 44,000 sq. m. to secure the contract.
Despite the progress, the proposal to grant Special Planning Authority status to MHADA is still pending. Officials stress that obtaining this status is crucial to streamline approvals, including issuing residence certificates for rehabilitated tenants. MHADA plans to continue pursuing SPA status during the tender process to ensure the project remains on track.
The redevelopment of Kamathipura, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most densely populated areas, is expected to not only improve living conditions but also transform the landscape of this historic neighborhood.
