From Shambles to Skyscrapers: How MHADA is Rebuilding Mumbai for Every Family

Mumbai is undergoing one of its most ambitious urban renewal missions in decades. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), in coordination with the state government, is transforming the city’s aging landscape by replacing unsafe and outdated housing structures with secure, sustainable, and modern apartments. From historic chawls to sprawling old neighbourhoods, MHADA’s large-scale redevelopment projects are not just about buildings—they are about restoring dignity, providing safety, and creating communities that reflect Mumbai’s evolving aspirations.

Under the visionary guidance of IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal, MHADA is accelerating approvals and execution for 56 of its 114 colonies, ensuring redevelopment meets modern urban standards while addressing the needs of displaced families. With over seven decades of experience and nearly 9 lakh homes delivered across Maharashtra—including 2.5 lakh in Mumbai alone—these initiatives reflect a city-wide commitment to equitable growth, sustainable development, and a higher quality of life for all residents.

Motilal Nagar, Goregaon West: A 143-Acre Model of Inclusive Urban Growth

One of Mumbai’s largest redevelopment undertakings is the transformation of Motilal Nagar in Goregaon West, covering 143 acres. The project will rebuild 3,372 homes, 328 commercial establishments, and 1,600 slum units into a modern township featuring community spaces, a five-acre central park, and upgraded urban amenities. Scheduled for completion by 2029, Motilal Nagar exemplifies integrated urban living, where residents from diverse backgrounds can thrive in a secure, vibrant, and inclusive environment.

BDD Chawls Redevelopment: Preserving Heritage While Modernizing Housing

The Brihanmumbai Dahanukar Chawls, constructed in the 1920s in Worli, Naigaon, and NM Joshi Marg, are being transformed into modern 2BHK apartments. This redevelopment project will provide over 16,000 families with safe, dignified homes, open spaces, and access to community amenities. The initiative balances heritage preservation with the need for modern housing, ensuring that the spirit of Mumbai’s working-class neighbourhoods continues while offering residents comfort and security.

Kamathipura: Reviving Mumbai’s Historic Core

The Kamathipura redevelopment project, spanning nearly 28 acres and covering lanes 1 to 15, is a landmark in Mumbai’s housing history. This initiative will rehouse 8,001 residents, compensate 800 landowners, and rebuild 943 cessed buildings into high-rise towers reaching up to 78 floors. By replacing precarious structures with modern, high-rise communities, the project restores safety, dignity, and liveability to one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods.

Siddharth Nagar and Punjabi Colony: Restoring Trust and Stability

MHADA’s redevelopment of Siddharth Nagar (Patra Chawl) and Punjabi Colony (GTB Nagar) highlights the agency’s commitment to equitable housing. In Goregaon West, residents are receiving modern 650 sq. ft. flats equipped with lifts, gardens, and community halls. In Sion, 1,200 Punjabi and Sindhi families displaced years ago are moving into spacious 635 sq. ft. homes across 25 redeveloped buildings. These initiatives end decades of housing uncertainty, giving families security, pride, and a renewed sense of belonging.

PMGP Colony, Jogeshwari: Rebuilding Dreams Through Government Intervention
 

The Prime Minister’s Grant Project (PMGP) Colony in Jogeshwari, originally constructed in the 1990s, is being modernized under MHADA’s stewardship. Covering 27,625 square meters, the project will deliver 984 contemporary flats of 450 sq. ft., replacing cramped 180 sq. ft. tenements. This redevelopment ensures dignity for residents, protects tenants’ rights, and exemplifies how government-led initiatives can revive stalled projects while improving urban living conditions.

Building a Sustainable, Smart, and Inclusive Mumbai
 

MHADA’s redevelopment initiatives go beyond housing—they integrate Green Building standards, renewable energy solutions, and digital transparency. By creating environmentally conscious communities and leveraging mega-infrastructure projects such as Atal Setu, Coastal Road, Navi Mumbai Airport, Metro lines, and Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai is being reimagined as a global, sustainable metropolis. These projects ensure residents live in secure, comfortable, and modern surroundings, while the city remains future-ready and globally competitive.

Towards the Mumbai of Tomorrow
 

From Motilal Nagar to Kamathipura, Siddharth Nagar to Jogeshwari, MHADA’s redevelopment projects are redefining Mumbai’s skyline and urban fabric. These initiatives provide a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive, and modern urban living while addressing decades-old housing challenges.

Through strategic leadership, visionary planning, and efficient execution, Mumbai is emerging as a city where every citizen can live with dignity, security, and pride. The transformation is not only about modern buildings—it is about creating communities, restoring trust, and building the foundation for a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future.