The Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Complex in Kandivali, Mumbai comprises 53 housing societies and houses 3,488 families, most of whom currently live in 225 sq ft apartments.

One of Mumbai's largest proposed cluster redevelopment initiatives is gathering momentum in Kandivali, where 53 housing societies located within a single MHADA-developed layout are considering a joint redevelopment of their 26-year-old residential complex. The buildings, constructed in 2000, are now facing structural ageing and infrastructure constraints that residents say can no longer be addressed through piecemeal repairs.

Residents say the complex is grappling with deteriorating structures and outdated infrastructure, with narrow internal roads emerging as one of the most pressing challenges. The congested road network frequently leads to traffic bottlenecks and restricts access for emergency vehicles, delivery services, and daily commuting needs.

Given the scale of the layout and the number of families involved, residents believe cluster redevelopment offers a more sustainable and long-term solution than individual building redevelopment.

Cluster redevelopment is an urban renewal model where multiple adjoining buildings are redeveloped together as a single, integrated project. This approach allows for better urban planning outcomes, including wider roads, open spaces, upgraded civic infrastructure, and modern amenities, while ensuring the rehabilitation of existing residents within the redeveloped project.

In Mumbai, several large neighbourhoods and MHADA layouts have adopted this model, including Motilal Nagar in Goregaon, Abhyudaya Nagar in Parel, Adarsh Nagar in Worli, Bandra Reclamation, GTB Nagar in Sion, and parts of Kamathipura, alongside multiple privately owned housing clusters.

Discussions among residents have been underway for several months. According to members of the redevelopment committee, 34 out of the 53 housing societies have already given their in-principle consent, while talks continue with the remaining 19 societies.

"We recently held a meeting, and at present, 34 societies are in favour of redevelopment, while discussions are ongoing with the rest. Under cluster redevelopment norms, consent from 60% of societies is required, which we already have. However, our effort is to bring all societies on board," said Sachin Chavan, secretary of one of the societies and a member of the redevelopment committee.

Under the proposed redevelopment framework, residents currently occupying 225 sq ft apartments would be eligible for 610 sq ft apartments post-redevelopment, a nearly threefold increase in living space.

As per prevailing norms, the developer selected for the project would be allowed to construct an additional 3,488 apartments for sale in the open market, equivalent to the rehabilitation stock. The sale of these units would enable the developer to recover costs and generate returns while funding the rehabilitation of existing homeowners.

The redevelopment committee has begun preparing the tender documentation and has appointed Akbar Jiwani as the project management consultant. According to the committee, the redevelopment tender is expected to be floated after February 15, once internal approvals and documentation are completed.

Minutes of the redevelopment committee meetings outline a detailed list of conditions sought by residents, including:

• 610 sq ft MOFA carpet area for each rehabilitated home
• Monthly rent during the construction period of
• ₹25,000 in the first year
• ₹27,500 in the second year
• ₹30,000 in the third year
• Transportation allowance of ₹10,000 per flat
• Corpus fund of ₹1,000 per sq ft, amounting to ₹2.25 lakh per apartment

Residents have also asked that the tender clearly define flat layouts, electrical fittings, plumbing specifications, and amenities, and include a mandatory bank guarantee from the developer in line with MHADA norms. The developer or contractor must be a reputed entity with proven redevelopment experience, according to the committee.

An MHADA layout refers to large residential precincts planned and developed by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority. These layouts typically comprise ageing housing blocks, internal roads, and shared infrastructure, and are increasingly being taken up for cluster redevelopment to modernise living conditions, optimise land use, and rehabilitate long-standing residents.

If the proposal secures full consent, the Kandivali cluster redevelopment could significantly transform the area's urban landscape while improving living conditions for nearly 3,500 families. The project would also add to Mumbai's expanding pipeline of large-scale redevelopment initiatives aimed at renewing ageing housing stock in dense suburban neighbourhoods.

The proposed cluster redevelopment of the Kandivali housing complex reflects a growing push to modernise Mumbai's ageing residential stock through large-scale urban renewal. With majority consent already in place and a structured tender process underway, the initiative has the potential to significantly improve living conditions for thousands of residents while enhancing infrastructure within the locality. If executed as planned, the project could serve as a model for similar MHADA-led redevelopments across the city.