FIR filed against Royal Palms developer over 349 missing slum rehabilitation homes in Goregaon

An FIR has been registered against the developer of Royal Palms in Aarey Colony, Goregaon, for failing to hand over 349 tenements to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. The project, initiated in 1996, remains incomplete after 30 years, with only seven of 12 rehabilitation buildings completed.

MUMBAI: An FIR has been filed against the developer of the Royal Palms complex in Goregaon’s Aarey Colony for failing to hand over 349 tenements to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The tenements were meant for project-affected persons (PAPs) under a scheme that was initiated 30 years ago.

The slum redevelopment project was the first ever scheme to be taken up in the city and the free tenement size was increased from 180 sq ft to 225 sq ft. The scheme was registered under the name Royal Palms at Aarey Colony by developer Amir Park and Amusement Pvt Ltd, which received a letter of intent in March 1996.

The proposed scheme included 12 rehabilitation buildings and 10 sale component buildings. Only seven rehabilitation buildings were completed and granted an occupancy certificate (OC), with around 104 eligible slumdwellers rehabilitated. The remaining five buildings were never completed, and the 349 PAP tenements were not handed over to the SRA. Of the 10 sale component buildings, five received OCs; the rest remain unauthorised, forcing residents to pay double for civic amenities.

Mumbai North-West MP Ravindra Waikar from Shiv Sena last month lodged a complaint with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who handles the housing portfolio, seeking an inquiry into the scheme. The FIR was registered with Aarey police, Waikar was informed on Thursday at a meeting with SRA officials.

Separately, an FIR has also been filed against developer Satish Dattani, who was awarded the redevelopment of Bhagat Singh Nagar in Goregaon West, after the SRA complained that he sold 229 rehabilitation flats instead of handing them over. Waikar said all eligible slumdwellers were not rehabilitated, while tenements were sold to ineligible slumdwellers.

The SRA has initiated action under Section 13(2) of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971, to remove the developer and appoint another. Similar action has been taken against Shrimali Realty for the Koyna Nagar Redevelopment Scheme in Goregaon East, which has been delayed for over 20 years. Officials assured the MP that the developer would be removed within a week. In the case of Mayur Nagar, also in Aarey Colony, SRA officials said the proposal has been sent to the state government for approval.