1 week ago
Juhu redevelopment gets relief as defence height restrictions ease
A rule had stopped many buildings in Juhu from becoming taller than a few floors.
This made it difficult for old housing societies to rebuild their homes.
Many families moved out for redevelopment but were left waiting when projects stopped.
On August 3, 2026, the Ministry of Defence reduced the restricted area around a defence station from 500 metres to 100 metres.
This means nearly 200 societies can now explore redevelopment more easily.
New buildings might be eight to 10 floors tall, but each project still needs approval related to Mumbai airport flight paths.
Some builders have already shown interest.
Residents still need new permissions, and people inside the remaining 100-metre zone have not received the same relief.
The Ministry of Defence has reduced the construction restriction zone around Juhu Signalling Transmission Station from 500 metres to 100 metres.
Nearly 200 Juhu housing societies can now pursue redevelopment without seeking Defence Ministry approval, subject to other clearances.
Buildings may potentially reach 32–34 metres, or about eight to 10 storeys, depending on Airports Authority of India approvals.
Residents of stalled projects such as Tara Apartments faced years without promised rent support or replacement homes.
Builders have begun approaching societies, but fresh NOCs, legal processes and other regulatory approvals are still required.
- Who
- Nearly 200 Juhu housing societies and their residents, along with builders, the Ministry of Defence, Mumbai North West MP Ravindra Waikar and the Juhu Wireless Affected Residents Association.
- What
- The Ministry of Defence superseded SRO 150 and reduced the construction restriction zone around the Juhu Signalling Transmission Station from 500 metres to 100 metres.
- Where
- Juhu, Mumbai, around the Juhu Signalling Transmission Station.
- When
- The notification was issued on August 3, 2026; residents had been seeking changes since 2011.
- Why
- The change is intended to enable redevelopment of old and stalled housing societies that had been constrained by the former defence-related height restrictions.
Broader Relief
Partial Relief And Remaining Constraints
Scope of the notification
Broader Relief
Ravindra Waikar and affected residents regard reducing the zone to 100 metres as significant relief that allows most affected societies to restart redevelopment.
Partial Relief And Remaining Constraints
Waikar had sought complete removal of the Juhu Signalling Transmission Station and full relief for residents; those within the remaining 100-metre zone still have no relief.
Redevelopment prospects
Broader Relief
Residents and builders say the change makes previously unviable projects commercially possible, and developers have already begun approaching societies.
Partial Relief And Remaining Constraints
The notification starts a process rather than completing it: societies need fresh NOCs, builders may need to be re-engaged, and broken redevelopment agreements can require legal and regulatory proceedings.
Building height
Broader Relief
The removal of the former 15.24-metre cap could permit buildings of about 32–34 metres, potentially improving redevelopment economics.
Partial Relief And Remaining Constraints
Final height will vary by plot because Airports Authority of India flight funnel approvals remain necessary on a case-by-case basis.
Key facts
- Affected societies
- Around 200 residential societies in Juhu were affected by the former 500-metre restriction zone.
- Former restriction
- SRO 150 limited construction within 500 metres of the Juhu Signalling Transmission Station and capped building height at 15.24 metres.
- New restriction
- The restricted zone has been reduced to 100 metres.
- Potential building height
- Buildings may potentially reach 32–34 metres, or about eight to 10 storeys, subject to approvals.
- Property prices
- Juhu prices are currently approximately ₹80,000 to ₹1.2 lakh per square foot, compared with ₹40,000–50,000 in 2010–2011, according to Knight Frank figures cited in the article.
- Rent pressures
- Tara Apartments residents were promised ₹35,000 monthly rent in 2010–2011; current rents can exceed ₹80,000, while premium residences can cost ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh monthly.
- Remaining approvals
- Projects still require fresh NOCs and case-by-case Airports Authority of India approval linked to the airport flight funnel zone.
Quotes
A resident of Tara Apartments
Unnamed Tara Apartments resident affected by stalled redevelopment
“"It has been painful," said a resident of Tara Apartments, who did not wish to be named. "There were some dilapidated buildings in the radius and people were getting really stressed. Builder communication was case by case, and things only got more complicated with the ongoing and stuck projects. It took a long time, but finally there is some good news."”
CNBC TV 18
Amit Jagani
Member of the Juhu Wireless Affected Residents Association (JWARA)
“"Over the years, the society has incurred substantial expenditure on recurring repairs merely to keep the building habitable. The restrictions imposed under SRO 150 further compounded our difficulties, with even reputed builders and our own acquaintances reluctant to undertake the redevelopment project."”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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