Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, 26 August announced that the state government has set an ambitious target to construct 30 lakh affordable homes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) over the next two decades, with a firm deadline of 2047. The announcement was made at a housing and infrastructure conclave, where Shinde outlined a sweeping urban transformation agenda for one of India's most housing-stressed regions.

How the 30 Lakh Homes Will Be Delivered

Of the total target, 10 lakh homes are earmarked for Mumbai proper — 6 lakh through Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects and 4 lakh via Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and allied schemes. The remaining 20 lakh homes will be spread across Thane, Mira-Bhayander, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, and Bhiwandi.

"Our goal is to complete the construction of all 30 lakh homes by 2047 without fail," Shinde stated at the conclave.

Policy Reforms Backing the Push

Shinde said the government's guiding philosophy is "acceleration over obstruction," underpinned by structural policy shifts. These include the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), an amnesty scheme for Occupancy Certificates (OC), chawl redevelopment on textile mill lands, and new regulatory frameworks for pagadi buildings. Cluster redevelopment projects will integrate 23 civic amenities, including digital libraries, community halls, primary health centres, and women's empowerment centres.

Third Mumbai: A Futuristic Urban Hub

A centrepiece of the vision is the Third Mumbai Project, being developed around the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Atal Setu, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg. Envisioned as a futuristic city over the next 50 years, it will host specialised zones including an Aerocity, Medicity, Sports City, EduCity, and IT-Fintech hubs.

Connectivity and Infrastructure Commitments

On the infrastructure front, Shinde reaffirmed the state's commitment to the Thane Internal Ring Metro, executed through Maha Metro, designed to ease traffic congestion, shorten commute times, and reduce pressure on Thane railway station. Dismissing critics of large-scale projects, he pointed to the Samruddhi Expressway and the Coastal Road as examples of ventures that succeeded despite early scepticism, crediting proactive stakeholder dialogue.

Maharashtra's Viksit Bharat Ambition

Shinde concluded by expressing confidence that Maharashtra will contribute over 25 per cent toward India's Viksit Bharat vision by 2047. This comes amid growing competition among Indian states to anchor large infrastructure and housing mandates as the Union government accelerates its urbanisation agenda. Whether execution can match the scale of the announcement will be the defining question in the years ahead.