Worli Koliwada Residents Protest SRA's Move to Terminate Developer Over Prime Land Redevelopment

Residents of Worli Koliwada in Mumbai are protesting after the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) issued notices to initiate the termination of the current developer, who is handling major redevelopment projects on nearly six acres of prime land. These notices have sparked anger among residents, who fear that their long-awaited housing projects are now at risk.

The protests involve two societies: Chaitanya Sai Janata Colony (approximately 2,054 tenements) and Sagar Darshan Co-op Housing Society (around 265 tenements). The Chaitanya Sai project has been pending for almost 30 years, while Sagar Darshan began a few years ago. The SRA has issued a termination notice to the developer and scheduled a hearing under section 13(2) of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971. This provision applies when the redevelopment does not progress within stipulated timelines or violates approved plans, and it allows parties to present their case before a final order is passed.

According to the residents, the two projects had obtained all necessary approvals as of October 2024, and construction was in progress. They argue that the sudden notice to remove the developer came without clear reasons, throwing their homes' futures into uncertainty. Residents are particularly concerned because key land ownership issues are still being heard by the Bombay High Court. They argue that the developer should not be terminated while the case is unresolved, as it could derail the entire redevelopment process.

Residents fear that removing the developer now could set back redevelopment and prolong the uncertainty for thousands of families living in temporary structures. Some have even threatened larger agitation or political action if the notice is not withdrawn. The SRA, however, maintains that until the court decides on the land title, the SRA cannot issue further permissions for construction. An SRA official stated that the notice and hearing were issued to push stalled ground-level work, which has been progressing slowly.

The ongoing legal tangle and the potential for further delays have created a tense atmosphere in Worli Koliwada. Residents are urging the SRA to reconsider its decision and allow the current developer to continue with the projects. They believe that the termination notice could lead to significant setbacks and further complications in the redevelopment process, affecting the lives of many families who have been waiting for years for their new homes.