Delhi studies Maharashtra’s self-redevelopment route for ageing buildings

IAS officer I Raja Babu led a Delhi government study group to Mumbai last month to examine Maharashtra’s self-redevelopment model for old and dilapidated buildings.

The group met the Self Group Redevelopment Authority (SGRA) in Bandra and reviewed how housing societies, banks, municipal bodies, project-management consultants and the state government work together on redevelopment. It also studied the role of Mumbai Central Cooperative Bank, the model’s nodal agency, along with concessions available to participating societies and the financial planning of projects.

Delhi is considering whether the approach can be adapted for the capital, with Old Delhi identified as an area where it could be relevant. Under self-redevelopment, resident housing societies take a central role in rebuilding their properties rather than relying solely on an external developer.

Maharashtra’s reported results vary across the figures released by the SGRA: it said 18 societies had received sanctioned loans as of March 31, while a later update put the number at 46. Reported counts of completed buildings also range from eight to about 21 or 22. Delhi has not announced a redevelopment programme based on the model.