“One Lakh Homes for Mill Workers”: Eknath Shinde Pushes Affordable Housing Drive in Mumbai

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to provide dignified housing for Mumbai’s long-neglected textile mill workers, with a fresh push under the “Houses for All” initiative. In a written response in the Maharashtra Assembly, Shinde revealed that 98,619 mill workers have now become eligible for housing benefits under a special campaign jointly conducted by MHADA and the state labour department.

Responding to a query raised by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and others, Shinde provided a detailed update on the ongoing housing initiative. He emphasized that the government had issued a resolution on March 15, 2024, to extend housing to workers from closed and ailing mills not just within Mumbai, but across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). “Our vision is not just about providing houses, but creating sustainable and livable homes with basic amenities,” said Shinde.

So far, a total of 15,870 homes have already been handed over to mill workers — distributed in phases between 2012 and 2020. These include:

• 6,925 homes in 2012
• 2,634 homes in early 2016
• 2,417 homes later in 2016
• 3,894 homes in 2020

As the campaign gains momentum, the government has selected two developers to construct the next batch of houses, following the approval of a high-power committee. Shinde informed the House that since June 16, applications for new homes are being collected online, and 2,094 mill workers have already submitted their forms.

In a significant urban renewal step, the Urban Development Department has also started the redevelopment process for 11 old chawls located on the premises of nine National Textile Corporation mills, aiming to improve living conditions for existing occupants.

Earlier this year, Deputy CM Shinde had promised to build 1 lakh homes for textile mill workers, a pledge he says will now be a central focus of the state’s evolving housing policy. He has instructed officials to draft a comprehensive housing policy within a month, prioritizing affordability, sustainability, and fast-track redevelopment of stalled projects.

“Mill workers built Mumbai with their sweat and toil. Now it’s our responsibility to give them the respect and shelter they deserve,” Shinde declared, vowing faster implementation of the state’s housing vision.