In a move aimed at boosting affordable housing in Mumbai’s western suburbs, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the acquisition of reserved land owned by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in Borivali. The land will be utilised for constructing affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Decision Taken at High-Level Housing Authority Meeting
The approval was granted during a meeting of the Maharashtra Housing Development Authority held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, chaired by the Chief Minister. The meeting brought together key senior officials from the housing and urban development departments to deliberate on the proposal.
Among those present were Additional Chief Secretary (Housing) Aseem Kumar Gupta, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Chief Executive Officer Praveen Pardeshi, Housing Authority Managing Director and CEO Tryambak Kasar, Director (Administration) Praveen Koli, Technical Director Abhijit Londhe, and Assistant Officer Shirtej Rasal.
Officials discussed the feasibility, cost implications, and implementation roadmap of the project, with a focus on accelerating affordable housing supply in the city.
28.84 Acres Identified Across Gorai and Shimpoli
The land identified for acquisition comprises reserved plots belonging to BSNL in Gorai and MTNL in Shimpoli, both located in Borivali. The combined area of these parcels stands at 28.84 acres, making it a significant land bank for urban housing development in Mumbai.
According to the proposal placed before the authority, the land will be acquired at ready reckoner rates, with the total estimated cost pegged at Rs 729 crore. The acquisition is expected to unlock underutilised public sector land for residential use, aligning with broader urban planning goals.
Over 1,000 Affordable Homes Planned
The state government has approved the development of affordable housing on the acquired land under PMAY, one of the Centre’s flagship schemes aimed at providing “Housing for All.” Officials indicated that the project is expected to deliver more than 1,000 housing units upon completion.
In addition to the primary housing component, the remaining portion of the reserved land will also be integrated into the overall development plan, potentially accommodating supporting infrastructure and amenities.
The initiative is seen as a key step in addressing Mumbai’s persistent housing shortage, particularly for economically weaker sections and lower-income groups. By repurposing land owned by public sector telecom companies, the government aims to optimise available resources while expanding access to affordable housing in high-demand urban areas.
