The long-delayed redevelopment of Kamathipura, one of South Mumbai’s oldest and most congested neighbourhoods, has finally progressed, with the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) of MHADA receiving two bids for the project.

The bids, submitted by J Kumar Infraprojects Limited and AATK Construction, pave the way for technical evaluation and the next stage of the process. According to officials, the financial bids will be opened shortly, after which the proposals will be forwarded to the Maharashtra state government for final approval.

In parallel, MBRRB has initiated a biometric survey of residents, conducted by Kshitij Creation, to determine the exact number of homes, residents, and non-resident occupants—a crucial prerequisite before construction begins.

Spread across 34 acres, Kamathipura comprises 475 cessed buildings, 163 non-cessed structures, 15 PMGP buildings, 52 collapsed buildings, 15 religious sites, two schools, four government offices, and eight other structures. The locality currently houses 6,073 resident and 1,342 non-resident occupants, many of whom live in century-old, dilapidated buildings.

Under the redevelopment plan, a total of 8,001 residents will be rehabilitated, while 800 landowners will receive compensation. Each resident family will be provided with a 500 sq ft home, and non-resident families will be allotted 225 sq ft units.

The reconstructed buildings will rise up to 57 floors, with sale towers potentially reaching 78 floors. Compensation for landowners will be based on plot size—plots up to 50 sq m will receive one 500 sq ft unit, 51–100 sq m plots two units, and 101–150 sq m plots three units, with similar proportional allotments for larger plots.

The redevelopment marks a shift from individual building reconstruction to cluster-based renewal, under Regulation 33(9) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. The project aims to transform Kamathipura into a modern urban village, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, along with upgraded infrastructure and public amenities.

An MBRRB official stated,

“The submission of these two bids is a crucial step in reviving Kamathipura. Once the approvals are secured, construction will commence promptly. This project is intended to serve as a model for heritage neighbourhood regeneration across Mumbai.”

Prepared by Mahimtura Consultants, the Kamathipura Cluster Redevelopment – Urban Village blueprint has already been approved by the state government. Upon completion, it is expected to add around 4,500 new homes to Mumbai’s housing stock.

With the bids received and biometric verification underway, the long-awaited revitalisation of Kamathipura—a once-vibrant but decaying heritage district—is finally underway, marking a new chapter in Mumbai’s urban renewal journey.