Mumbai, September 3 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on September 3 that a comprehensive redevelopment plan is underway to make Mumbai slum-free within the next decade. Speaking at the NAREDCO Maharashtra’s ‘Change of Guard’ ceremony, he highlighted the cluster development model as the framework for this ambitious initiative.
Key projects, including the Dharavi redevelopment and the revitalization of MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) colonies, are set to transform the city’s landscape. The modern redevelopment of BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus depots is also part of this vision.
Fadnavis emphasized the crucial role of the real estate sector in driving Maharashtra’s growth, which reached an impressive 8.8% in the first quarter, surpassing the national average of 7.8%. The next phase of Mumbai’s development will focus on redevelopment, with the Dharavi project already in motion. The goal is to provide 10,000 rehabilitation housing units by January 2029.
He also stressed the urgent need to redevelop 50-year-old MHADA colonies to ensure efficient land use for planned growth. The upgrading of the BEST bus depots will modernize the city’s transport infrastructure, featuring state-of-the-art bus stations, improved passenger facilities, and mixed-use spaces that include commercial and residential areas, as well as recreational facilities.
Fadnavis noted that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) Development Plan aims to boost the region’s economy to $1.5 trillion by 2047. With nearly 60% of India’s data center capacity located in MMR, plans are underway to enhance smart manufacturing and technology ecosystems.
He remarked, “Mumbai 3 is no longer just a vision for the future—implementation has begun.” Several urban centers, such as Smart City, Edu-City, Medi-City, and Innovation City, are rapidly developing. Additionally, a 24-kilometer sea link from Uttan to Virar is planned to ease traffic congestion and create a signal-free Mumbai.
The upcoming Vadhavan Port, which is nearly three times larger than JNPT, is expected to open new avenues for the maritime economy, potentially generating around one million jobs in the Palghar district. Fadnavis pointed out that this expansion will necessitate the development of new urban centers, laying the foundation for what he termed the ‘Fourth Mumbai.’
Plans are also in place for a dedicated freight corridor connecting Vadhavan Port to Nashik, integrating it with the prosperity expressway through Jalna, Wardha, and Gadchiroli. This initiative aims to ensure that port-based development benefits all corners of Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister announced the development of ‘New Nagpur,’ equipped with plug-and-play facilities for industries. He encouraged real estate developers to seize these emerging opportunities. In Pune, land acquisition for a new airport is complete, with the tender process for construction set to commence this year.
Surrounding the new airport, there are plans for a Global Capability Center (GCC) and a smart manufacturing ecosystem. The state government also aims to develop the Mumbai-Pune corridor as a ‘Quantum Corridor.’ With a youthful population—approximately 30 million individuals aged 18 to 28 in Maharashtra—this tech-savvy generation is poised to unlock new economic pathways.
Fadnavis concluded by stating that advancements in artificial intelligence will revolutionize jobs and business models, making it essential for the construction sector to adopt modern technologies for faster and more advanced building methods.
During the event, an agreement was exchanged between NAREDCO Chairman Kamlesh Thakur and Nagpur MHADA Commissioner Sanjay Meena, witnessed by Chief Minister Fadnavis.
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