Three Mumbai Redevelopment Projects Receive Retrospective Extensions After Years of Delay
Three major Mumbai redevelopment projects that had remained stalled for nearly two decades amid scrutiny linked to the Maharashtra Sadan corruption case have now been granted retrospective deadline extensions by the state government. The approvals came just days before the acquittal of senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who played a key role in originally clearing these projects during his tenure in various ministerial positions.
Timeline of Approvals and Extensions
The cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure cleared the extensions during a meeting on December 9, 2025. The government resolution formalizing these extensions was officially issued on February 3, 2026. This development occurred just weeks before Bhujbal was acquitted in the Maharashtra Sadan case by a special court on January 23, 2026.
All three projects were originally sanctioned between 2001 and 2008, during periods when Bhujbal held significant positions in the Maharashtra government. The projects had faced years of delays due to procedural hurdles and scrutiny connected to allegations surrounding the Maharashtra Sadan construction scandal.
Project Details and Extension Terms
Ghatkopar East Project: This project involves redevelopment of government land in Ghatkopar East through a private developer. Originally approved in September 2001 when Bhujbal served as Deputy Chief Minister, the work order was issued in August 2004 with a four-year construction period. After receiving four previous extensions, the latest valid until December 2019, the project has now been granted a fifth and final extension from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2027.
Chembur Project: This redevelopment of government land in Chembur was approved by the cabinet sub-committee in August 2007. The work order followed in June 2008 with a completion period of three-and-a-half years. Following three previous extensions, the last ending in August 2021, the project has received a fourth and final extension from August 27, 2021 to December 31, 2027.
Andheri East and Chunabhatti Project: This project involves redevelopment of buildings at Mudran Kamgar Nagar in Andheri East and land parcel number 627 at Chunabhatti. Approved by the cabinet sub-committee in August 2008, the work order was issued on August 31, 2009 with a four-year completion timeline. After two extensions ending in January 2021, the project has been granted a third and final extension from January 28, 2021 to March 31, 2027.
Political Context and Official Responses
Chhagan Bhujbal, who currently holds the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, has denied any involvement in the extension decisions. Speaking to media, Bhujbal stated he had absolutely no knowledge about the redevelopment projects, was not aware of any decisions regarding extensions, and had never enquired about them.
A senior Public Works Department official rejected any connection between the extensions and Bhujbal's acquittal, describing the process as routine administrative procedure. The official emphasized that approval for the extensions had already been granted in December and that the department's primary concern was ensuring completion of the long-delayed projects.
Background: The Maharashtra Sadan Case
The Maharashtra Sadan case centered on alleged irregularities in the construction of Maharashtra Sadan, the state government's guest house in New Delhi, during the early 2000s when Chhagan Bhujbal served as Public Works Department minister. Investigators alleged irregular tendering processes, cost escalation, and resulting losses to the public exchequer, leading to charges against Bhujbal under corruption and criminal law provisions.
Bhujbal maintained throughout that all key decisions, including contract awards and approval of changes, were taken collectively by a cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure rather than by him individually. In January 2026, a special court acquitted him, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove criminal intent or personal misuse of office, and that the decisions in question were part of a collective cabinet process.
The extensions granted to these three redevelopment projects mark a significant development in Mumbai's urban renewal efforts, potentially unlocking valuable government land for development after years of legal and procedural delays.
