Mumbai — The long-stalled Basera SRA Co-operative Housing Society (CHS) project in Andheri (West) is finally set to move forward after being stuck in limbo for two decades. The Maharashtra government has ordered the preparation of a fresh Annexure II based on a new biometric survey, paving the way for the project's long-awaited development.
The initiative gained momentum following the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who, in response to persistent efforts by local BJP MLA Ameet Satam, directed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to re-examine the scheme as a special case.
MLA Ameet Satam has been at the forefront of addressing the discrepancies in the project since 2019, when residents raised concerns about irregularities in the initial Annexure II. The original document, submitted by the developer, listed 766 eligible slum dwellers, but local opposition and allegations of fraud halted progress. According to Satam, the list contained numerous bogus entries, including names of deceased persons and non-residents, leading to widespread discontent among the actual slum dwellers.
Following a fresh biometric survey conducted in November 2019, the SRA report, published in March 2020, confirmed the irregularities. In July 2024, the SRA declared the project "void-ab-initio," meaning it was illegal from the outset. This decision, however, opened the door for a reassessment of the project.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stepped in, holding a meeting with SRA officials and approving the scheme as a special case. The government then ordered the preparation of a new Annexure II based on the updated biometric data, which is expected to clear the way for the project's revival.
Ameet Satam expressed his commitment to seeing the Basera SRA project through to completion, stating, "I have consistently raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly to get the Basera project back on track. The developer, who failed to make any progress for 20 years, has been removed from the project. I am determined to complete the Basera SRA housing project, which has been stalled for two decades, along with the society and residents."
With this renewed focus and government backing, the long-delayed Basera SRA housing scheme in Andheri (West) is finally set to take shape, offering hope to the hundreds of residents who have waited years for their homes.