What is SRA? Understanding the New GR for SRA Carpet Area

February 14, 2024
No Tags Assigned to this Post

Table Of Contents


What is SRA? Understanding the New GR for SRA Carpet Area

Mumbai is India’s financial capital, and it is known for its dense population. It makes sense why people are attracted to Mumbai; it has great infrastructure and career opportunities. With more people moving here, there is now a shortage of living space.

The high demand and low supply of homes have led to many, especially those below the poverty line, choosing to live in slums. A large part of the city’s population lives in slums, which makes the need for affordable housing more crucial.

To solve this problem, in 1995, the Government of Maharashtra introduced the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). This government body has since been responsible for implementing slum rehabilitation projects in the city. The SRA’s main goal has been to transform the slum-dwellers’ lives and provide them with affordable housing.

The SRA’s schemes focus on rehabilitating existing slums through different redevelopment projects. Also worth noting are the Government resolutions for SRA Carpet Area, which dictate the maximum carpet area that can be allocated to a home built under the authority. SRA schemes have a unique approach that allows for redevelopment projects in different parts of the city. With redeveloped slums, dwellers get homes with improved hygienic living conditions.

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority makes efforts to solve a crucial problem faced by many: the lack of housing space in Mumbai. Slum-dwellers get to live in a home with more carpet area. Moreover, SRA schemes contribute to their socio-economic upliftment, while also ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable approach to urban development.

New Government Resolutions for SRA Carpet Area and Its Impact

When it was first established in 1995, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority dictated that all redeveloped slums would have a maximum SRA carpet area of 180 sq. ft. This number was later increased to 269 sq. ft. till 2018, and after recent Government resolutions, is currently at 300 sq. ft or 27.87 square meters. There are many reasons why the rehabilitation efforts have been impactful in Mumbai:

Improvement of Living Conditions:

New SRA carpet area regulations mean that the living conditions of the residents are significantly improved; they don’t have to live in cramped housing. The rehabilitated houses are not only safe but also have adequate space for families, thus improving the quality of life and overall well-being.

A Better Approach to Urban Development:

These new Government resolutions also represent a more humane approach to urban development, that preserves the dignity of all citizens. The approach also ensures that the redeveloped homes meet the basic standards of livability, and are comfortable. It also ensures that the slum-dwellers smoothly blend into the urban fabric, reducing social inequalities and encouraging a sense of community and belonging.

Enhancing Efficiency:

The carpet area regulations stimulate better urban planning and development practices. Developers who are involved in slum rehabilitation have to ensure that they are designing and building cost-effective homes that are compliant with the minimum space requirements. This is also a chance for innovative, new architectural and engineering solutions for maximum space utilisation and environmental stability. This will set a new standard for affordable housing projects.

Improving Public Health:

The new SRA carpet area regulations ensure improved living conditions, which impacts public health positively. Overcrowding and poorly ventilated living spaces with no facilities in the slums are a breeding ground for various diseases. A larger living space also means there will be a reduced spreading of communicable diseases.

How do they Affect Dwellers, Builders, and the Real Estate Market?

Impact on Slum Dwellers:

SRA regulations represent hope for the slum dwellers. Of all, they will benefit the most from redeveloped homes, in the following ways:

  • Improved housing standards
  • Increased space for their family.
  • Better infrastructural facilities.
  • Safe, comfortable living conditions
  • Most importantly, improved socioeconomic status, which helps them seamlessly join the urban fabric.  

Impact on Developers:

The SRA’s schemes to redevelop slums present both opportunities and challenges for developers. The slum rehabilitation projects offer them a chance to be part of large-scale urban redevelopment projects, which can lead to better returns. On the other hand, they have to comply with the strict SRA regulations, which can increase project costs and complexity. It also means there is a higher need to innovate and adopt more efficient construction methods that will help maintain profitability. Overall, it is a push towards sustainable and responsible development practices.

Impact on Mumbai’s Real Estate Market:

The city’s real estate market will be most significantly impacted by the SRA’s efforts. Redeveloping the slums into formal housing will free up land for more residential developments, which will in turn lead to more housing. This will potentially ease the shortage of homes in Mumbai. On the flip side, more housing units mean more market adjustments, especially in pricing and demand dynamics.

The new SRA regulations are expected to contribute to the long-term stabilisation and growth of the city’s real estate market.

Types of SRA Schemes

The SRA implements three main types of schemes, namely:

  • In-situ Scheme DCR 33(10): Slums are rehabilitated on the same site where they currently exist.
  • 33(11) Scheme (PAP): Allows landowners to use vacant land for constructing tenements for Project Affected Persons (PAP), compensated with Transferable Development Rights (TDR).
  • 33(14) Transit Schemes: Enables landowners to utilize the existing Floor Space Index (FSI) and additional development potential in various zones of the city.

What are SRA Flats?

An SRA flat is a residential unit that has been provided as part of the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. Flats are built as part of a public-private partnership. Developers get additional rights, in exchange for building and providing affordable housing for slum dwellers.

Understanding How SRA Flats Are Purchased

Purchasing an SRA flat involves a detailed process, eligibility criteria, and several crucial documents to have in hand to ensure legal compliance and transparency. Here’s a concise breakdown:

SRA Eligibility Criteria:

  • Domicile Certificate: Buyers must have a domicile certificate.
  • No existing properties: The buyer or their family members should not own any existing properties that fall within the BrihanMumbai Corporation (BMC) limits.
  • Income Group: Buyers should fall under three income categories:
  • Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
  • Low Income Group (LIG)
  • Middle Income Group (MIG)
  • Ownership Restrictions: The original beneficiary cannot purchase another SRA flat.

Purchasing Process

  • Lock-in Period: Ensure the SRA flat has surpassed the 5-year lock-in period.
  • Application for Transfer: The buyer needs to fill out the SRA application form and submit it to the Authority’s office.
  • No Objection Certificate: To be obtained from the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, and the Cooperative Housing Society.

Required Documentation

For the submission of the application, these are the various items of paperwork that will be required:

  • Domicile certificate
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) for three years
  • NOC from the Slum Rehabilitation Authority
  • No-dues certificate from the society

When it comes to the registration of the sale deed, the required documents are listed below:

Final Steps

Sale Deed Execution:

Execute and register the sale deed at the Sub-Registrar of Assurances office, paying the applicable stamp duty and registration charges.

Submission to SRA:

Submit a copy of the stamped sale deed and application form to the SRA along with the transfer charges.

Housing Society Documentation:

Submit the full set of documents to the concerned housing society and pay its transfer fee to complete the ownership transfer.

This structured approach ensures that the legalities of purchasing an SRA flat are thoroughly adhered to, safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.

Case Study: Slum Rehabilitation Scheme Success Story

One of the SRA’s biggest success stories is at the world’s tallest rehabilitation towers at Dhobi Ghat, Mahalaxmi, through a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project. This 42-storey slum rehabilitation project has 4 buildings that house close to 16000 residents. The residents get access to modern amenities and retail units, and a view of the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai Coastal Road, and the Arabian Sea.

Want to know more? Read the entire story here:

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-worlds-tallest-rehabilitation-towers-dhobi-ghat-8902550/ 

FAQs

  1. What is SRS in Mumbai?
  • SRS stands for Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. It was launched by the SRA to transform the slum areas of Mumbai. The main aim is to help slum-dwellers get better living conditions.
  1. Can we sell SRA flats?
  • Flats built under the SRA schemes have a five-year lock-in period. During this time, they can’t be sold or rented out. If you’d like to more, read this report:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/slum-dwellers-granted-five-year-window-to-sell-sra-flats-benefits-2-5-lakh-beneficiaries-101703185666854.html 

  1. What is the current carpet area allowed for an SRA flat?
  • The SRA carpet area was 269 sq. ft till 2018. After the introduction of government regulations, the current carpet area is 300 sq. ft, (27.87 square meters) in line with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
  1. How much extra area can we get in slum redevelopment?
  • The extra area allowed varies; The current carpet area is 300 sq. ft. or 27.87 square meters. Redeveloped slums in some areas, such as Dharavi get 17% more; close to 350 sq. ft. Read this article for more information:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/dharavi-residents-to-get-350-sq-ft-flats-after-redevelopment-adani-group/article67743065.ece 

  1. How to check the SRA project status?
  • You can check the SRA project’s status on the Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s website. Just log in with your credentials and select the project name.

https://umd.nic.in/sra/ 

  1. How to get SRA Annexure 2 online?
  • Annexure 2 is an important document required to acquire a redeveloped home under the SRA. You can get this on the authority’s website. The Auto-Annexure feature uses online data verification and software automation to generate this document.

http://sra-uat.apniamc.in/en/front 

Conclusion:

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority is a representation of the transformative approach taken to address the housing crisis in the city, a problem that majorly affects the urban poor. Measures such as an increased carpet area and various redevelopment projects across slums in Mumbai will not only help improve living conditions but encourage more inclusive and sustainable urban development.

With more success stories such as the Dhobi Ghat SRA, there is a potential for schemes by the authority to enhance the slum-dwellers’ quality of life and set a new standard for affordable housing in densely populated cities such as Mumbai.