The Mumbai skyline, a jagged crown of ambition, shimmered under the monsoon haze. But beneath the towering glass and steel, a different story unfolded. A story of cramped tenements, perilous commutes, and the desperate yearning for a place to call home. This was the challenge IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal (1996 batch), who is the Vice President and CEO of MHADA, shared in a compelling conversation with Deepashika Soni of Indian Masterminds. As he helmed MHADA, the agency tasked with fulfilling Mumbai’s housing dreams, the weight of a million aspirations rested on his shoulders.
Watch the video here:
For decades, MHADA had chipped away at the problem, building over seven lakh homes. But the city’s relentless growth demanded a bolder vision. Jaiswal, with a glint of determination in his eyes, spoke of a radical plan: eight lakh affordable homes in the next five years.1 A Herculean task, considering Mumbai’s land scarcity and the crippling affordability index.
He unveiled a multi-pronged approach: reviving stalled redevelopment projects, transforming dilapidated “cess buildings” through groundbreaking legislative amendments, and embracing cluster development for improved living standards.2 He spoke of “79A” and “91A,” cryptic codes that held the key to unlocking thousands of homes.
But it wasn’t just about numbers. Jaiswal envisioned communities, not just concrete boxes. He spoke of amenities, of swimming pools and community halls, of transforming the notorious BDD chawls into vibrant neighbourhoods. And he dared to dream of a rental housing revolution, catering to students, workers, and seniors.
The challenge was immense, the obstacles daunting. But Jaiswal’s passion was infectious. He spoke of collaboration with private developers, of unlocking central government lands, and of slashing premiums and GST. He painted a picture of a Mumbai where a decent home was not a distant dream but a tangible reality.
Want to witness this transformation unfold? Click on the link below to watch the full interview with Sanjeev Jaiswal and discover how MHADA is rewriting Mumbai’s housing story.
