City’s cluster redevpt gets off the blocks

Mumbai: Less than three years after the state announced its plans for cluster redevelopment, only nine proposals have been submitted to the government, with just five of them getting approval. The one-acre Botawala Chawl revamp is the latest clusterredevelopment project to get the go-ahead. 

    A state government official said the scheme had been a slow starter because in the island city it is more lucrative for builders to redevelop dilapidated, cessed buildings. In cluster, a larger percentage of the profits and carpet area has to be shared with the government. 
    Aside from Botawalla Chawl, the 14-acre Bhendi Bazar, four-acre Saat Rasta, 7.5-acre Islam Mill Compund and 4.5-acre Dr E Moses Road projects have also got go-aheads. A developer noted, "The cluster policy is not very clear, which is hampering submission of proposals. Also, 56 approvals are required before a single redevelopment can actually start. There must be a separate authority to deal with cluster proposals, like the SRA deals with slum rehabilitation." P 2 
BHENDI BAZAR 
PROPOSAL | Area: 14 acres. 282 buildings to be redeveloped. 3,000 tenant families and 1,200 commercial establishments will be rehabilitated. Posh transit flats at Mazagaon 
ISLAM MILL COMPOUND Area: 7.5 acres. Five bldgs, including two 65-storey towers; tenements range from 375 sq feet to 425 sq ft 
DR E MOSES ROAD Area: 4.5 acres. D B Realty to construct five buildings, of which a 20-storey commercial building is under construction 
SAAT RASTA 
Area: 4 acres. Project in Byculla, but called Shreepati Estate, Lower Parel. Plans to house 840 tenant families 
BOTAWALA CHAWL Area: Over 1 acre. Four 20-storeyed buildings plus one building to be sold in open market