30 lakh homes to be built across Mumbai-MMR over the next 15-20 years
Thane, Sept 2026 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday announced that 30 lakh homes will be constructed across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) over the next 15 to 20 years.
He said the state government's policy was to promote cluster redevelopment in Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and other cities in the region. Changes made to the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) have given a boost to cluster redevelopment and Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects, he said.
Shinde was speaking at the bhoomi pujan ceremony for the Siddheshwar Nagar and Ramabai Nagar cluster redevelopment project undertaken by the Thane Municipal Corporation.
6,000 families to get permanent homes
Shinde said the project would provide safe and quality homes to around 6,000 families, along with 23 civic amenities, employment opportunities and a planned township, laying the foundation for a “new Thane”.
The cluster will be developed across approximately 20 hectares, or 50 acres, and will include a range of residential and civic facilities.
The planned amenities include wider roads, adequate water supply, sewage management, waste management systems, gardens, playgrounds, community halls, gymnasiums, yoga centres, indoor games facilities, digital libraries, daycare centres, recreation centres for senior citizens, primary healthcare centres, women's empowerment centres and smart street lighting.
Shinde said the development would be based on the concept of a “city within a city”, with residents receiving not just housing but access to essential services and community infrastructure.
Two decades of struggle
Referring to incidents involving dangerous buildings in Thane, Shinde said the cluster redevelopment initiative had emerged after nearly two decades of struggle.
He recalled several incidents, including the collapse of the Sairaj building in Kisan Nagar, and said he had consistently raised the issue of dangerous buildings through hunger strikes, marches and discussions in the state Assembly.
Shinde said that, as Urban Development Minister and later as Chief Minister, he had worked to remove policy-related obstacles and make cluster redevelopment a reality. He added that the first phase of work in Kisan Nagar was nearing completion and residents would soon receive the keys to their new homes.
Focus on housing and employment
Shinde stressed that the cluster should include commercial development alongside residential buildings to generate local employment.
He said the “walk to work” concept should ensure that local youth have employment opportunities close to their homes.
He also said the Siddheshwar Lake area would be redeveloped, cleaned and beautified, allowing the water body to regain open space and improve the surrounding environment.
On residents' demands, Shinde indicated that the government would consider measures such as a corpus fund, providing an additional 100 square feet of space at affordable rates and rehabilitation of small shopkeepers.
He also urged developers not to compromise on the quality of housing. “Even if you make two rupees less profit, do not compromise on the quality of citizens' homes,” he told developers, assuring them of the government's and municipal corporation's cooperation.
Infrastructure to transform Thane
Shinde said projects such as the Metro, internal Metro network, Coastal Road and Thane-Borivali tunnel would give a new direction to Thane's infrastructure.
He also expressed the expectation that buildings coming up under the cluster redevelopment project should be high-quality and distinctive. He said provisions for incentive Floor Space Index (FSI) were available for iconic buildings.
Emphasising the broader objective of the project, Shinde said, “Cluster redevelopment is not merely about a house; it is about a good home, better facilities, employment and an improved quality of life.”
He also quoted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan's famous lines, “Those who keep trying never lose.”
In a lighter vein, Shinde suggested that developers should not only provide homes and good amenities on time but also consider gifting residents large television sets.
Former minister and MLA Jitendra Awhad, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLAs Niranjan Davkhare and Ravindra Phatak, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpolekar, Deputy Mayor Krishna Patil, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, District Collector Shrikrishna Panchal and several other elected representatives, officials, office-bearers and party workers attended the event.
