Thane becomes the first Asian city to be redeveloped under the cluster scheme

A cluster redevelopment project in Thane’s Kisan Nagar area will make the city, Asia’s first, to be developed under the cluster scheme, said Maharashtra’s Minister for Urban Development and Thane district Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde.

This cluster development project of Thane is regarded as one of the ambitious schemes of the government as it will pave the way for the citizens to get their own permanent houses. By implementing this, Thane will be the first city in the country to redevelop an entire city, as it will assist the locals in progressing towards sustainable development.
The cluster development will enable the economic growth of residential areas to and also help safeguard open spaces and environmental resources. Under this scheme, houses are built closer together on a specific plot of land rather than distributed uniformly across vast areas across the whole complex, experts said. Incentive costs are being paid to developers through the sale of flats in the building through Floor Space Index, the permissible development on a plot.

The growing population of Thane and the increase in construction of unauthorized buildings has put stress on basic infrastructure making it difficult to offer amenities to every individual. The cluster plan is essential for the forest-land, creek shore, land conservation, infrastructure provision, and planned development of the ward.
The proposed cluster plan will also include commercial buildings in certain places. Residents in such buildings will be provided 25% extra free area in addition to their current space. If a new or redevelopment project has an area of 500 square metres or more, registration under RERA is required. As a result, projects under the cluster plan will be registered under RERA as well.

As part of this project, residents living in unauthorized houses will get 300 sq ft of house, whereas those who have shops will get a 160 sq ft space. Residents living in unauthorized houses will have to pay at least 25% of the market value and at a market price rate for houses with an area of more than 100 meters. These houses cannot be handed over for 15 years and the beneficiary will have to pay a premium to seek possession of a house.