Self-Redevelopment Gains Momentum Across Maharashtra as Housing Societies Seek Greater Control

BJP MLA Pravin Darekar Highlights Growing Interest in Society-Led Redevelopment

Self-redevelopment of housing societies is gaining wider attention across Maharashtra as more civic bodies explore ways to help residents take control of redevelopment projects, Maharashtra Housing Self/Redevelopment Authority chairman and BJP MLA Pravin Darekar said on Tuesday.

Darekar said the self-redevelopment model, which was introduced for middle-class housing societies through the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank, commonly known as Mumbai Bank, has helped societies explore redevelopment without depending entirely on private developers.

The model is now being discussed beyond Mumbai, with municipal corporations across the state showing interest in creating a more supportive environment for housing societies.

Navi Mumbai Civic Body Discusses Self-Redevelopment

Darekar said the issue has recently come up before the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, where corporators discussed the need to encourage self-redevelopment among housing societies.

He welcomed the growing interest and said the discussion showed that the concept is gradually gaining recognition at the local government level.

Darekar said he was pleased to see self-redevelopment becoming part of discussions in municipal corporations after years of work to promote the model among housing societies.

Study Group Recommends Changes to Development Rules

The discussion also focused on the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations, or UDCPR, and their impact on redevelopment projects.

Darekar said his study group has examined provisions that could create difficulties for societies choosing the self-redevelopment route. The group has submitted recommendations to the state government to address these concerns and create a more practical framework.

According to Darekar, urban planning policies should support affordable housing while also ensuring that redevelopment does not place unnecessary pressure on existing infrastructure.

Housing Policy and UDCPR Need Better Coordination

Darekar said Maharashtra's housing policy already supports self-redevelopment and group self-redevelopment. However, he pointed to differences between the housing policy and Development Control and Promotion Regulations, including DCPR and UDCPR provisions.

The Self/Redevelopment Authority is working to identify and address these gaps so that housing societies can benefit from a clearer and more consistent regulatory framework.

He said recommendations prepared by the Darekar study group could provide a practical alternative and that the matter now needs further consideration at the government level.

Talks Planned With Navi Mumbai Civic Officials

Darekar said he will soon discuss the issue with the Navi Mumbai mayor, group leaders, corporators and municipal commissioner.

The discussions are expected to focus on how civic authorities can support housing societies that want to undertake redevelopment independently.

Self-Redevelopment Could Expand Across Maharashtra

The growing discussion in Navi Mumbai and other municipal corporations could give further momentum to self-redevelopment across Maharashtra.

Darekar said the Self/Redevelopment Authority will continue working to strengthen the model and make it easier for housing societies to pursue redevelopment on their own terms.

With better coordination between housing policies and development regulations, self-redevelopment could offer more housing societies a clearer path to modernize older buildings while keeping residents more directly involved in the redevelopment process.