With thousands of housing redevelopment projects stuck in disputes and litigations for over decades in Mumbai and surrounding MMR areas, the concept of self-redevelopment is gradually becoming a talking point amongst members of cooperative housing societies. Legal experts agree that self-redevelopment is advisable in today`s scenario, but they have a word of caution on self-redevelopment and its hidden challenges.

Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, who is also Expert Director at State Cooperative Housing Federation Limited and is personally handling the redevelopment of Tilak Safalya CHS Ltd, of which he is an Associate member said, “Redevelopment through the Developer is the common option chosen by the Housing Societies having their building age above 30 years and in dilapidated condition. In Mumbai District the redevelopment process is regulated by the Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR 2034) and for the rest of the Districts in the State of Maharashtra the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR 2020). In the Redevelopment Process majority of the benefits are shared by the Developer and the Society members due to ignorance of law, ego issues, lack of expertise etc. fall trap of unconscionable bargain and in major cases one sided Development Agreement. Due to the lack of involvement of the Society Members in the Redevelopment Process thousands of Redevelopment Projects are now in litigation in the Court of Law.”