Should You Invest in SRA Projects for Affordable Housing in Mumbai?
SRA projects in Mumbai offer a unique opportunity to buy homes in prime locations at affordable prices. Discover the benefits and potential pitfalls of investing in these government-backed initiatives.
Sra ProjectsAffordable HousingMumbai Real EstateUrban DevelopmentSlum RehabilitationReal Estate NewsJul 28, 2025
For cities, SRA projects help uplift slums, improve infrastructure, and enhance overall urban development. Especially in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, where land is scarce, SRA development can unlock huge land banks, thus unfolding opportunities to boost realty growth and provide affordable housing solutions. People living in slum areas need a good living environment such as access to good schools, medical facilities, and a home that is well-designed as per their family requirements. SRA projects can create a sense of dignity and ownership for residents while reducing environmental and social challenges in urban areas. Home buyers should consider SRA development while keeping in mind the mix of pros and cons that must be taken into account when evaluating buying a property. Now the question is, should you buy a property in an SRA project or avoid it? Let’s first understand the present situation of SRA projects in Mumbai before unfolding the pros and cons of buying in SRA.
Under SRA, the Government of Maharashtra has introduced a scheme for the rehabilitation of the slum areas. Under this scheme, slum land is used as a resource, and additional floor space index is allowed as an incentive that can be sold in the open market for the cross-subsidization of the slum rehabilitation project. The SRA scheme has shown promising results by providing homes to people who used to live in the slums and by uplifting the infrastructure around the slum clusters to provide for new, plush housing which has a great future potential considering the speed at which these neighborhoods develop.
According to data released by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Brihan Mumbai, in 2024, there were a total of 2,597 slum clusters in Mumbai. These slum clusters were present in various wards in Mumbai. The total slum area covered by the slums was approximately 33.13 sq km. In 2015, SRA identified 3,293 slum clusters, which have decreased to 2,597 in 2024. This shows a significant drop in the area inhabited by slums. SRA projects are gaining momentum, and it is expected that the remaining slum clusters will also join the urbanization stream in less than a decade. It is time for the average Mumbaikar to look at these projects if they are looking for great value with an eye on the future.
As of January 22, 2025, around 2,248 SRA projects are proposed or under development in Mumbai. Some of the SRA projects for which the Occupancy Certificate (OC) was given to the customers are as follows:
| Location | OC Date | Society | Facilities |
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Jogeshwari (East) | Avant Heritage- I – 25th July 2022 | Avant Heritage I & Avant Heritage II | Swimming pool, Banquet Hall, Recreation area, terrace garden, Stroll, Open Amphitheatre, Yoga deck, Barbeque area. |
| Jogeshwari (East) | Avant Heritage -II – 30/01/2023 | Avant Heritage I & Avant Heritage II | Swimming pool, Banquet Hall, Recreation area, terrace garden, Stroll, Open Amphitheatre, Yoga deck, Barbeque area. |
| Bhandup (W) | May 9, 2024 | Gaondevi Krupa Darshan SRA | Balwadi, Welfare center, Community Hall |
| Lower Parel | June 21, 2013 | Shramik Ekta Federation Co. op society | Welfare Center, Skill Development Center, Yuva Kendra, Balwadi, Society Office, Community Hall |
| Chembur | Nov 19, 2024 | Om Ganesh Nagar | Amenity Room, Welfare center, Balwadi, Non-Mechanized open parking for rehab |
| Kandivali (W) | May 6, 2024 | Shri Siddhivinayak | Health Center, Welfare center, Yuva Kendra, Balwadi, Society Office, Community Hall |
SRA allows home buyers to buy property in an area where government-backed initiatives provide attractive value appreciation and ensure sustained community development. The modern construction standards, better security, and efficient connectivity to key urban hubs contribute to a lifestyle upgrade compared to non-SRA developments. Here are some of the important benefits of SRA projects for buyers as well as for the realty sector:
**Benefits for home buyers:**
- Availability of luxury homes at affordable pricing
- Chance of buying a home in a prime location
- Access to existing infrastructure, such as roads, water supply, and electricity in the urban location
- Investment potential due to strategic locations
**Benefits for the realty sector:**
- Reclaiming land for a planned development
- Eliminating slum areas to improve city aesthetics and urban image
- Supporting sustainable urban growth and reducing overcrowding
- Allowing use of underutilized land
- Job creation
When evaluating a home in SRA projects, home buyers should look for the following:
1. Clear title with the developer
2. RERA Registration of the project
3. If SRA rehabilitation is happening around the new project, is there a separate entry and exit point for the two buildings
4. Explore future development plans of the developer around the project
5. Explore available infrastructure around the project, such as metro stations, railway stations, bus stops, hospitals, schools, markets
6. Explore government DP plans around the project (available with most developers)
Home buyers in SRA projects may face difficulties such as complex legal processes, unclear property titles, and potential delays in project completion. In some cases, the slums are partially rehabilitated, and SRA buyers have to live in apartments facing the leftover slums or cross narrow roads passing through remaining slum areas whenever moving in or out of the project. In such a situation, people moving into the SRA project may also face security-related issues until the slum is completely rehabilitated.
SRA projects are usually based closer to posh localities. People living in SRA homes can get easy access to their work locations and also get access to excellent infrastructure developed in their locality. Public and private partnerships are unfolding a wave of SRA development that is not only unlocking the huge land bank for new realty development but also offering luxurious homes at affordable prices. For example, the Alta Monte project by Omkar Realtors and Developers was developed under the SRA scheme in Malad East. It consists of luxury amenities and gated communities and is one of the projects that have transformed the perspective in favor of SRA redevelopment in Mumbai. Avant Group is also emerging as a major player in the SRA projects in the western suburbs. SRA projects have the potential to unlock the huge value of a location that has remained stagnant for many years. So, one must not miss the chance if they get an opportunity to buy a home in an SRA project!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SRA scheme in Mumbai?
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme in Mumbai is a government initiative to rehabilitate slum areas by using slum land as a resource and allowing additional floor space index as an incentive. This can be sold in the open market to cross-subsidize the slum rehabilitation project.
What are the benefits of buying a home in an SRA project?
Benefits include availability of luxury homes at affordable prices, access to prime locations, existing infrastructure, and investment potential due to strategic locations.
What should home buyers look for when evaluating an SRA project?
Home buyers should look for a clear title with the developer, RERA registration, separate entry and exit points, future development plans, and available infrastructure around the project.
Are there any challenges in buying an SRA project?
Challenges include complex legal processes, unclear property titles, potential delays in project completion, and security issues if the slum is partially rehabilitated.
What is the future potential of SRA projects in Mumbai?
SRA projects have significant future potential as they unlock huge land banks, improve urban infrastructure, and offer luxurious homes at affordable prices, transforming the real estate landscape in Mumbai.
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