The Maharashtra government has established the Self-Group Redevelopment Authority (SGRA) to expedite self-redevelopment projects for aging buildings. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar has been appointed as its chairman, with the status of a Minister of State. Darekar, who also heads the Mumbai District Cooperative Bank, previously led a committee that recommended measures to promote self-redevelopment. SGRA will work in coordination with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), which will serve as the nodal agency for these projects.
Self-redevelopment allows housing societies to independently manage the rebuilding of their structures without involving traditional builders, thereby retaining full control and benefits. This initiative stems from a 2019 government resolution that provided concessions to societies and allowed banks like the Mumbai District Cooperative Bank to offer financial support. Activists and experts have emphasized the importance of a supportive legal framework and streamlined approval processes to encourage the uptake of self-redevelopment, which has lagged significantly behind builder-led projects. The formation of SGRA is seen as a move to address legal and procedural hurdles and promote more widespread adoption of self-redevelopment across Mumbai.
