Mumbai: The fifth sector of Dharavi revamp which is currently being redeveloped by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will soon get a recreation ground and a Pay and Park area. The land which belongs to Tata Power Company was recently handed over to MHADA with a condition of no construction on the land.
The housing body has already rehabilitated 331 families and have received approvals for four buildings where more than 1300 families will be rehabilitated. The families will be able to use the recreation ground. Earlier, the pay and park areas were not earmarked, however, with this new open space, the residents will get a designated pay and park area.
A senior MHADA official revealed that there is a condition of no construction on the plot due to hypertension cables passing through the land. He said, “We have earmarked the land for a recreational ground and some part of pay and park. The land has been allotted by Tata Power who have conveyed their concerns over construction on the land. We are yet to decide the demarcation of the land in order to ascertain the exact area that has been allotted.”
The official added that the plot currently has 800-900 slums on it. He said, “These slums dwellers, that are the eligible beneficiaries, will be shifted to the rehab component and the slums will be razed.”
Replying to an email sent by the Free Press Journal, a spokesperson of the Tata Power said, “The referred land belongs to Tata Power and is a part of the sector- 5 of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, but there is no substation on the land. As a comprehensive approach to resettle & rehabilitate the slums in the Dharavi area, the Maharashtra Government has divided Dharavi area into five sectors and sector- 5 has been allocated to MHADA for redevelopment. As per the master plan approved by the government, this land is earmarked for RG (recreation Ground) and some part for a parking lot. The final usage of the land, however, is still under discussion and the primary purpose of the land which is for the HT lines shall continue to be undisturbed.”
Repeated tenders issued by the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA) for the other four sectors have failed to attract developers for the revamp. The proposed revamp has been in the planning books since 2004.
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