Redevelopment of settlements near CSMIA could potentially free up around 100 acres for future airport infrastructure; fresh survey of eligible residents planned.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has revived its proposal to redevelop slum settlements located around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), potentially creating additional land for the airport’s future infrastructure requirements.

The move comes as Mumbai prepares for a major transformation of its aviation infrastructure, including the proposed demolition of part of Terminal 1 from January 2027 and the redistribution of flight operations between CSMIA and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The settlements, spread across parts of -Kurla and Santacruz, have developed over several decades on land owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The settlements are estimated to occupy approximately 275 acres and have expanded close to the airport’s operational areas.

Their proximity to airport facilities has raised longstanding concerns related to aviation security, flight safety and future infrastructure planning.

Residents may be rehabilitated locally:-
Under the revived proposal, authorities are considering a local rehabilitation model under which eligible residents could be provided housing within or close to their existing neighbourhoods, rather than being relocated to distant parts of Mumbai.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is expected to undertake a fresh survey before preparing a detailed redevelopment proposal. The exercise will determine the number of eligible residents, the extent of land occupied and the scale of rehabilitation required.

Earlier estimates had placed the population of the settlements at approximately 85,000 to 90,000 residents. The new survey is expected to establish an updated assessment before the project advances.

Potential release of around 100 acres:-
If the rehabilitation programme is successfully implemented, approximately 100 acres could potentially be made available to CSMIA for future airport-related development.

The land, together with areas that may become available following the proposed demolition of part of Terminal 1, could provide additional scope for airport infrastructure and operational facilities.

Possible uses could include terminal-support infrastructure, aviation facilities and other airport-related development. However, the exact utilisation of the additional land has not yet been determined.

Airport height restrictions remain a key challenge:-
The redevelopment is likely to face a significant planning challenge because of aviation-related height restrictions applicable in areas surrounding Mumbai airport.

Such restrictions are designed to protect aircraft operations and limit the height of structures within designated zones. Consequently, conventional high-rise rehabilitation models used in other parts of Mumbai may not be feasible in all areas surrounding CSMIA.

Authorities will therefore need to develop a rehabilitation framework that balances the housing requirements of eligible residents with aviation-safety standards and applicable development regulations.

Earlier redevelopment plan had stalled

The latest initiative seeks to revive an earlier redevelopment effort that failed to make substantial progress.

Authorities are examining rehabilitation models used in other Mumbai redevelopment projects, including the approach adopted at Ramabai Nagar and Kamraj Nagar in Ghatkopar.

A fresh survey of the settlements is expected to precede the preparation of a comprehensive proposal, with eligibility verification likely to form a critical part of the process.

Mumbai airport infrastructure enters new phase:-
The proposal is being revived at a time when Mumbai's aviation infrastructure is undergoing significant change.

Part of Terminal 1 at CSMIA is expected to be demolished from January 2027, while flight operations are being planned around the growing role of Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The availability of additional land around CSMIA could therefore become important for the airport's long-term infrastructure planning.

However, the redevelopment will involve considerable administrative, social and technical challenges. Authorities will need to complete the fresh survey, establish eligibility, finalise rehabilitation arrangements and ensure that any construction complies with aviation-safety and height restrictions.

If implemented successfully, the proposal could address a long-standing rehabilitation issue while potentially creating additional space for the future development of Mumbai's airport infrastructure.

Report: #NmmIndiaXNews

Journalist & Reporter
Pranav Parsoon
Indian Press Union & Global Press News Media
News: Mumbai, India