India’s cities are growing. So are the slums. According to the 2011 Census, the number of slum dwellers in India is over 64 million. Pune and Mumbai are some of the highest concentrations. Such areas tend to be overcrowded, lacking in basic facilities and are difficult to plan and manage in terms of public health.
Naiknavare Developers Pvt. Ltd. (NDPL) is addressing this issue with a focused approach. The company is using the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme to develop formal housing and improve urban living standards. Their goal is to support large-scale Pune housing projects while contributing to long-term Pune infrastructure projects.
What is SRA and How Naiknavare Developers Are Implementing It
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is a state-level programme of the Government of Maharashtra, instituted under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act 56. SRA aims at formalizing and redeveloping slums without displacing the residents and without straining government resources. The strategy emphasizes in-situ rehabilitation, i.e. redevelopment of the same land where slums are found and settling residents in permanent and legal housing in the same area.
The essence of SRA is a Public-Private Partnership. Developers assume the role of redeveloping the land, and offer free residential units to deserving slum dwellers. In exchange, they are given Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or Floor Space Index (FSI), which they can utilize elsewhere or sell, and the project becomes financially feasible.
Key Components of the SRA Model:
- Free Housing: Slum dwellers receive homes at zero cost, legally registered in their name.
- In-Situ Development: Residents are relocated within or near their original area, maintaining community ties.
- Government Facilitation: Authorities provide regulatory clearances, resident eligibility verification, and administrative support.
- Developer Incentive: TDR or additional FSI makes the project feasible for private developers.
NDPL’s Role in Implementing SRA
SRA framework has been integrated into the strategy of the urban improvement of Pune by NDPL. The company has also aligned its project execution model with the needs of the SRA, which are efficiency, compliance, and community impact.
NDPL’s Implementation Process:
- Site Acquisition: NDPL begins by identifying eligible slum locations in coordination with the SRA and acquiring rights for redevelopment.
- Resident Engagement: Before development begins, NDPL conducts biometric surveys, collects photographs, and obtains formal consent from residents. This builds trust and transparency.
- Documentation & Proposals: A detailed redevelopment proposal is submitted to the SRA, along with legal documents, land surveys, zoning studies, and statutory approvals.
- Resident Verification: The official list of eligible residents is published in public notices. Objections are handled in hearings to ensure fair inclusion.
- Approvals & Clearances: Once verified, NDPL completes all documentation — known as the ‘3K’ process — and receives a ‘3D’ certification from the SRA, confirming readiness to begin work.
- Transit Arrangements: Residents are shifted to transit camps or rental accommodations at the developer’s expense until the new buildings are ready.
- Construction & Handover: NDPL completes construction using ALU-FORM and Phytorid technology. A lottery system ensures fair allotment of units, followed by legal agreements and society formation.
NDPL’s Approach to Execution
- Community-First Design: NDPL ensures that the design of the buildings facilitates socializing and familiarity, replicating the sense of community found in slums, but in a healthy and sanitary environment.
- End-to-End Delivery: NDPL takes care of all the steps, including land acquisition to the formation of the society, with no bottlenecks or quality compromises.
- Tech-Enabled Construction: NDPL constructs efficiently, sustainably and at scale using ALU-FORM to provide structure and Phytorid to provide sewage treatment.
By taking full ownership of the process and ensuring every regulatory, legal, and social element is addressed, NDPL has positioned itself as a reliable and future-ready player in the Pune housing projects landscape.
Their implementation of the SRA model is not only compliant with government standards but also optimized for impact, scale, and sustainability — a necessary combination for Pune infrastructure projects aiming to support rapid urban growth.
SRA: A Practical Model for Urban Improvement
The SRA model is built on a simple idea. Developers provide free formal housing to slum dwellers. In return, they receive Transferable Development Rights (TDR). This allows developers to build on other plots in the city, reducing land acquisition costs and making the model sustainable.
Who Benefits
- Government: Achieves housing goals without public spending, opens up land, increases tax revenues.
- City: Gains better infrastructure, roads, sanitation, and reduced crime rates.
- Residents: Receive free, legal homes with better living conditions.
- Developers: Access prime land, reduce costs, contribute to social development.
NDPL’s SRA Process
NDPL follows a detailed, structured process:
- Land title review and survey
- Resident consent and biometric data collection
- Proposal submission to SRA
- Resident list publication and objection handling
- Temporary relocation support during construction
- Lottery-based flat allocation
- Society formation and flat agreement execution
- Final handover and conveyance deed
This ensures transparency, compliance, and successful execution.
Project: Prathama – Ramtekdi, Pune
NDPL’s first pilot under the SRA was Prathama, launched in Ramtekdi, Pune. The aim was to convert informal settlements into organized vertical housing.
Key Highlights
- Location: Ramtekdi, Pune
- Total slum area: 50 acres
- Land developed: 15 acres
- Buildings: 7
- Floors: 11-storey each
- Total families: 1,176
- Phase 1 completion: 2015 (516 families)
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Unit Size | 25 sq. meters |
| Amenities | Kitchenette, Bathroom, Water, Sanitation |
| Construction Tech | ALU-FORM |
| Sewage Management | Phytorid Plant |
| Community Facilities | Large common areas, painted lobbies |
| Education Support | Free Math & English tuition for kids |
Outcomes
- Reduced crime rate
- Improved health and hygiene
- Higher daylight and ventilation in homes
- Stronger community management (self-run societies)
- Long-term upliftment of families
Project: Parivartan – Dandekar Bridge, Pune
After Prathama, NDPL launched Parivartan near Dandekar Bridge. The name means “Transformation” and reflects the project’s goal to shift families from slums to stable, secure housing.
Key Highlights
- Location: Near Dandekar Bridge, Pune
- Flats handed over: 192
- Shops handed over: 7
- Handover date: 31st May 2019
- Guest of Honour: Dr. Nitin Kareer, Principal Secretary, Urban Development
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Community Spaces | Shared areas on each floor |
| Interior Design | Painted walls, spacious lobbies |
| Construction Tech | ALU-FORM |
| Sewage Management | Phytorid Plant |
| Legal Compliance | Occupancy certificate and society formed before handover |
Outcomes
- Secure, dignified homes for families
- Strong infrastructure improvements in the area
- Legal home ownership
- Formal integration into Pune’s housing ecosystem
Technology Integration: ALU-FORM and Phytorid
Both projects used two core technologies:
ALU-FORM
- Fast, consistent construction method
- Reduces cost and improves durability
- Ensures structural safety and uniform quality
Phytorid
- Plant-based sewage treatment
- Low energy use and maintenance
- Supports eco-friendly city planning
These innovations support sustainable Pune housing projects and ease the pressure on existing Pune infrastructure projects.
Scaling for City-Wide Impact
The strategy of NDPL does not focus on individual projects. The aim is to develop a model that can be replicated and scaled up to cover the entire city in terms of slum rehabilitation. With the ever-increasing growth of Pune, NDPL hopes to contribute towards the housing needs and the development of infrastructure by providing strategic and high impact rehabilitation projects.
Their work helps the city:
- Reclaim valuable urban land
- Improve public health and safety
- Raise property values in surrounding areas
- Build socially inclusive communities
Conclusion
NDPL is delivering more than buildings. It is delivering long-term solutions to the slum challenge in Pune. Through its SRA projects, the company is building durable housing, creating community structures, and improving quality of life for thousands.
Programs such as Prathama and Parivartan demonstrate what can be achieved when there is a collaboration of public policy and private implementation. The advanced technology, transparent processes, and long-term planning that NDPL applies to their work make sure that their work is aligned with government and social objectives.
As Pune is likely to grow even more in the future, the issue of slum rehabilitation will continue to be an important component of the city planning. The presence of NDPL in that space is already established and increasing.
The company is contributing to making Pune more inclusive, better planned and prepared to deal with the future.
You can contact Naiknavare Developers Pvt. Ltd. to know more or to work on future SRA projects.
FAQs
1. What is SRA scheme in Maharashtra?
Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is a government program in Maharashtra to redevelop slums through the collaboration of the government and the private developers. It allows in-situ housing without any cost to the residents and gives TDR or FSI advantage to developers.
2. What is NDPL doing with SRA to enhance Pune housing?
NDPL redevelops the slum land to multi-storey buildings. It offers free houses to deserving families and employs technologies such as ALU-FORM and Phytorid to make it cost effective, high quality and scalable Pune housing projects.
3. What are the advantages of the SRA projects of NDPL to slum dwellers?
They are provided with permanent, legal accommodation with sanitation, water, and community facilities. NDPL also promotes education and society building, which allows residents to run their buildings on their own.
4. What is the fair distribution of new homes by NDPL?
NDPL has a system of lottery-based flat allotment approved by SRA. Prior to the commencement of construction, all the residents undergo biometric verification and consent. Transparency is published in final lists.
5. Why are the projects of NDPL significant to the Pune infrastructure?
These initiatives decongest slums, release land and enhance the health of the population. The work of NDPL facilitates long-term infrastructure projects in Pune by rendering housing sustainable, legal, and a part of formal urban planning.