On the direction of the central ministry, the Housing And Urban Development Corporation Ltd has given its report on the feasibility of the project at Mandala.

If approved, half the money for the Rs 156-crore proposal would be given by the centre, 25% by the state and the remaining in equal shares by the urban local body and the community, the slum dwellers in this case. The project aims at 58 four-storeyed buildings as well as balwadis, schools, dispensaries, markets and other civic amenities.

While housing secretary Sitaram Kunte was away and unavailable for comment, D Hadadare, chief engineer for MHADA (the nodal agency for BSUP in Mumbai) said, “Unlike the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, BSUP doesn’t specify any cut-off date as eligibility criteria. However, no other group of slum dwellers from Mumbai has come forward with any community participation proposal under BSUP so far. If it is implemented it would be the first-of-its-kind project.”

The land, on which the project is proposed, was reserved for rehabilitating slum dwellers prior to 2000 whose homes were mowed down. “Only about 50 such families have been rehabilitated on that land so far. Of the total 55 acre land, we have asked for 14 acres for the project. The people here are ready to pay whatever price the government demands,” said Simpreet Singh from Ghar Banao Ghar Bacho Andolan.

“We are not asking for free houses. Even now, we pay a rent of Rs 1,000 per month for our shanties and another good sum for illegal electricity connection and water supply. We are willing to put in the money and labour if we are allowed to go ahead with the project,” said local resident Amravati Chaudhari.