Latest news with #SVRSrinivas
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Coming soon, white paper on public transport in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), functioning as a state govt advisor similar to NITI Aayog, is preparing to release a white paper addressing public transport buses, encompassing BEST and private bus aggregators in Mumbai. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report will present recommendations to the state govt regarding the enhancement of BEST's financial status and operational efficiency in Mumbai, while improving services for passengers using premium aggregator buses such as Cityflo and inter-state buses. A meeting was convened by MITRA on Wednesday, with participation from CEO Pravin Pardeshi, BEST general manager SVR Srinivas, WRI India representatives, and various transport specialists and analysts. The discussions included proposals for BEST to utilise private school and corporate buses during their inactive periods for transporting passengers on shorter routes. This arrangement would provide additional income for private operators while helping BEST, whose fleet reached its lowest point in 15 years, to service feeder routes, particularly near railway and Metro stations with continuous passenger flow. Another proposal discussed at Wednesday's meeting involved developing space above BEST depots, allocating two floors for BEST offices whilst designating remaining floors for commercial use, ensuring steady revenue for the financially constrained organisation. This concept draws from Japanese cities where land resources generate supplementary income for public transport operations. A recent MITRA meeting also explored the possibility of allowing premium aggregator buses to park in designated areas within BEST depots. This arrangement would provide parking facilities for private operators to expand their fleet whilst generating revenue for BEST through substantial parking fees. The meeting suggested the development of underground and multi-deck parking facilities at BEST's 27 depots to increase capacity. All these will be part of the white paper being prepared in order to revive BEST, streamline private bus operations, and improve services for commuters for all categories of buses.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
BEST brings back Colaba to Bandra route for commuters on public demand
Mumbai: The BEST will bring back route number 1, Colaba to Bandra, which was stopped recently as part of a route rationalisation effort. While confirming that the route will be reintroduced on popular demand, BEST General Manager SVR Srinivas said on Sunday that it will be a single-decker electric AC bus. "We will start the service sometime this week," he stated. This route has been popular with commuters and was initially known for its double-deckers, later converted to a single-decker bus route. Commuters welcomed the decision but said that the BEST should introduce its AC double-deckers on this route. The BEST, however, has just 50 twin-deck buses, which are highly popular on CSMT-Nariman Point/Gateway/Cuffe Parade and Kurla-BKC-Bandra routes. "We will try to introduce a double-decker in the near future on this route," an official said. Route 1 is one of the oldest and most iconic bus routes in Mumbai. Operations commenced during the British era, and the route was labelled as Route A during the tram system days. Subsequently, the BEST numbered it as route number 1. "The route was initially from Colaba to Mahim and later extended to Bandra reclamation. The double-deckers stopped in the past, and it was a single-decker in recent years," said commuter rights activist Irfan Machiwala. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai A commuter, Afzal Mohammed, said that this route goes through the crowded areas of south Mumbai and caters to many commuters, making it a really good south-north connector.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Over 75% of tenement holders in Dharavi qualify for new homes
MUMBAI : The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has released its first eligibility list, with over 75 per cent of tenement holders qualifying for new homes under the ambitious slum redevelopment scheme, according to data released by the DRP. All bona fide residents who settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2000, are eligible for a 350 sq ft flat within Dharavi. All such residents will qualify for the resettlement unless they do not provide documents. Those who settled between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, may receive 300 sq ft units outside Dharavi at alternative locations. The first list identifies 505 households from Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar in Mahim as eligible for rehabilitation. In the first list published for 505 households of Sector 6 (Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar in Mahim), over 75 per cent of tenement holders have qualified for new homes under the redevelopment scheme, according to data released by the DRP. The balance would get qualified, based on additional checks and documents sought. Out of a total of 505 tenements, 31 tenements are yet to submit any documents, 137 cases are pending verification by BMC, which the DRP is pursuing, and the remaining 38 are amenity structures. Among the remaining 299 tenements, 229 have been found eligible for new homes under various criteria. The remaining 70 are in the process of submitting additional documents to validate their eligibility. DRP CEO SVR Srinivas assured that every resident will get a house either inside or outside Dharavi, basis their eligibility status. "I would like to reiterate that the Dharavi redevelopment is the most inclusive project ever contemplated in SRA history, where every resident is going to get a house. Not just that, all commercial units, whether eligible or ineligible, will get spaces inside Dharavi itself." He further explained that commercial units that are eligible will, in any case, get free in-situ spaces inside Dharavi. In fact, a proposal has been made to the government to accommodate ineligible commercial units as well, on a rental basis, inside Dharavi. "The 10 per cent commercial space reserved in every society can be given on a rental basis to ineligible commercial units so that they can sustain their livelihoods in Dharavi itself. We have already made this proposal." As per the Annexure-II data, 170 ground-floor tenements, including residential, commercial and residential/commercial, have all met the eligibility criteria and are entitled to new homes either within or outside Dharavi. Of these, 157 tenements came into existence before January 1, 2000, and are entitled to 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi. The remaining 13 are considered Shashulk Eligible, meaning they are entitled to 300 sq ft homes outside Dharavi at a subsidised cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, having settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2011. In a significant step, the inclusion of upper-floor tenement holders, typically disqualified under all other slum rehabilitation schemes, provides inclusivity. As per the data, 59 upper-floor tenements have qualified for new homes under the DRP's unique 'hire-purchase' scheme. These residents will receive 300 sq ft homes on rent for 12 years, after which they will become legal owners. They may also choose to buy the home outright at a government-decided rate at any time during the 12-year period. Typically, under other slum rehabilitation schemes, those who settle in the ground floor after 2011 are excluded from redevelopment benefits, and all upper-floor residents face outright eviction. However, DRP has ensured that all such residents are also provided new and modern homes outside Dharavi, but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). These colonies will be modern and will be maintained free of cost for 10 years. The DRP has invited tenement holders to submit their suggestions or objections regarding the Draft Annexure-II. Submissions can be made to the DRP office by July 5.
The Print
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
First eligibility list for Dharavi redevelopment released
Those who settled between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, may receive 300 sq ft units outside Dharavi at alternative locations. All bona fide residents who settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2000, are eligible for a 350 sq ft flat within Dharavi. All such residents will qualify for the resettlement unless they do not provide documents. Mumbai, Jul 2 (PTI) The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has released its first eligibility list, with over 75 per cent of tenement holders qualifying for new homes under the ambitious slum redevelopment scheme, according to data released by the DRP. The first list identifies 505 households from Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar in Mahim as eligible for rehabilitation. In the first list published for 505 households of Sector 6 (Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar in Mahim), over 75 per cent of tenement holders have qualified for new homes under the redevelopment scheme, according to data released by the DRP. The balance would get qualified, based on additional checks and documents sought. Out of a total of 505 tenements, 31 tenements are yet to submit any documents, 137 cases are pending verification by BMC, which the DRP is pursuing, and the remaining 38 are amenity structures. Among the remaining 299 tenements, 229 have been found eligible for new homes under various criteria. The remaining 70 are in the process of submitting additional documents to validate their eligibility. DRP CEO SVR Srinivas assured that every resident will get a house either inside or outside Dharavi, basis their eligibility status. 'I would like to reiterate that the Dharavi redevelopment is the most inclusive project ever contemplated in SRA history, where every resident is going to get a house. Not just that, all commercial units, whether eligible or ineligible, will get spaces inside Dharavi itself.' He further explained that commercial units that are eligible will, in any case, get free in-situ spaces inside Dharavi. In fact, a proposal has been made to the government to accommodate ineligible commercial units as well, on a rental basis, inside Dharavi. 'The 10 per cent commercial space reserved in every society can be given on a rental basis to ineligible commercial units so that they can sustain their livelihoods in Dharavi itself. We have already made this proposal.' As per the Annexure-II data, 170 ground-floor tenements, including residential, commercial and residential/commercial, have all met the eligibility criteria and are entitled to new homes either within or outside Dharavi. Of these, 157 tenements came into existence before January 1, 2000, and are entitled to 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi. The remaining 13 are considered Shashulk Eligible, meaning they are entitled to 300 sq ft homes outside Dharavi at a subsidised cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, having settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2011. In a significant step, the inclusion of upper-floor tenement holders, typically disqualified under all other slum rehabilitation schemes, provides inclusivity. As per the data, 59 upper-floor tenements have qualified for new homes under the DRP's unique 'hire-purchase' scheme. These residents will receive 300 sq ft homes on rent for 12 years, after which they will become legal owners. They may also choose to buy the home outright at a government-decided rate at any time during the 12-year period. Typically, under other slum rehabilitation schemes, those who settle in the ground floor after 2011 are excluded from redevelopment benefits, and all upper-floor residents face outright eviction. However, DRP has ensured that all such residents are also provided new and modern homes outside Dharavi, but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). These colonies will be modern and will be maintained free of cost for 10 years. The DRP has invited tenement holders to submit their suggestions or objections regarding the Draft Annexure-II. Submissions can be made to the DRP office by July 5. PTI ANZ ANZ BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Dharavi Redevelopment: Over 75 per cent tenants qualify for new homes
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 2 (ANI): Residents of Dharavi are waiting with bated breath as the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), along with the Government of Maharashtra, has begun releasing the Draft Annexure-II in phases. In the first such list published for Sector 6 (Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar), over 75 per cent of tenement holders have qualified for new homes under the redevelopment scheme, according to data released by the DRP. The balance would get a qualified basis, additional checks and documents sought. Out of a total of 505 tenements, 31 tenements are yet to submit any documents, 137 cases are pending verification by BMC, which the DRP is pursuing, and the remaining 38 are amenity structures. Among the remaining 299 tenements, 229 have been found eligible for new homes under various criteria. The remaining 70 are in the process of submitting additional documents to validate their eligibility. DRP CEO SVR Srinivas assured that every resident will get a house either inside or outside Dharavi based on their eligibility status. 'I would like to reiterate that the Dharavi redevelopment is the most inclusive project ever contemplated in SRA history, where every resident is going to get a house. Not just that, all commercial units, whether eligible or ineligible, will get spaces inside Dharavi itself,' Srinivas said. He further explained that commercial units that are eligible will, in any case, get free in-situ spaces inside Dharavi. In fact, a proposal has been made to the government to accommodate ineligible commercial units as well, on a rental basis, inside Dharavi. 'The 10 per cent commercial space reserved in every society can be given on a rental basis to ineligible commercial units so that they can sustain their livelihoods in Dharavi itself. We have already made this proposal,' Srinivas said. As per the Annexure-II data, 170 ground-floor tenements, including residential, commercial and residential/commercial, have all met the eligibility criteria and are entitled to new homes either within or outside Dharavi. Of these, 157 tenements came into existence before January 1, 2000, and are entitled to 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi. The remaining 13 are considered Shashulk Eligible, meaning they are entitled to 300 sq ft homes outside Dharavi at a subsidised cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, having settled in Dharavi before Jan 1, 2011. In a significant step, the inclusion of upper-floor tenement holders, typically disqualified under all other slum rehabilitation schemes, is a true mark of the present government and DRP's promise for inclusivity. As per the data, 59 upper-floor tenements have qualified for new homes under the DRP's unique 'hire-purchase' scheme. These residents will receive 300 sq ft homes on rent for 12 years, after which they will become legal owners. They may also choose to buy the home outright at a government-decided rate at any time during the 12-year period. Typically, under other SRA schemes, those who settle in the ground floor after 2011 are excluded from redevelopment benefits, and all upper-floor residents face outright eviction. However, DRP has ensured that all such residents are also provided with new and modern homes outside Dharavi but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). These colonies will be modern and will be maintained free of cost for 10 years. The DRP has invited tenement holders to submit their suggestions or objections regarding the Draft Annexure II. Submissions can be made to the DRP office or by email to [email protected]. The deadline is July 5, 5.30 PM. (ANI)
