Facelift for Kamathipura: TENANTS, LANDLORDS UNITE

Govt Hikes Incentives To Enable Cluster Redevelopment In Kamathipura, Home To Some Of Mumbai’s Poorest & Oldest Dwellers

- Clara Lewis

There's barely enough space for two people to stand together and spread their arms. There’s a loft hanging low overhead, which provides additional space to lie down. In rooms as tiny as 40-100 sq feet, over three generations of families have lived together and continue to live.

“I feel like a caged animal,” said Pramila Jatla, tears welling up in her eyes. “My husband used to work with Khatau Mills. He lost his job when the mill closed down and ever since I have been doing odd tailoring jobs in the locality,” said Jatla. She lives in a building on the 7th lane in Kamathipura. Pramila was born in Kamathipura, married here, and now awaits the birth of her grandchild.

For the 800 landlords and over 8,000 tenants of Kamathipura, who have waited years for their properties to be redeveloped, hope is finally on the horizon. On July 21 this year, the state government increased the incentive for cluster redevelopment for an area above 25 acres. The new incentives make the revamp of one of Mumbai’s oldest and most centrally located neighbourhoods financially viable.