From red-light district to high-rises: Kamathipura’s big makeover plan

Kamathipura, a neighborhood long known for being Mumbai's red-light district, is set for a significant transformation through a proposed 34-acre redevelopment plan. This plan aims to replace cramped, 120-square-foot homes with spacious, 500-square-foot residences, along with open spaces and modern amenities. Residents will receive financial assistance during the construction phase, with monthly rents of Rs 25,000 for residential and commercial occupants.

These rents will be paid in advance, with an additional year's rent to be provided as cheque. Around 24 high-rises will be part of the redevelopment, linked by refuge areas, while the remaining 47% of the land will be used for newly constructed buildings. The plan aims to rehabilitate over 8,000 residential and commercial premises within the area.

MHADA's vice-president and CEO, Sanjeev Jaiswal, presented the plan to residents, outlining the consultation process and the demands raised by the community. The project is expected to be carried out in four to five stages, with completion of rehabilitation buildings within six to eight years, followed by the readied sale buildings to meet market demand.