MHADA

The Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA) has allocated land parcels spread over 1,100 acres across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for developing affordable housing projects. Mumbai Metropolitan Region comprises cities of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. The identified land parcels are in Thane, Raigad and the newly formed district of Palghar including Vasai and Virar.

Prakash Mehta, The state minister of housing, labour and mines had announced that Maharashtra is contemplating on opening up land parcels under the no-development zones as well as plots belonging to Indian defence personnel with a view to build affordable houses in Mumbai. “If needed the government will even look at the salt pan land, defence land, airports authority and BPT (Bombay Port Trust) for these projects,” said Mehta stressing on the need for affordable housing in the financial capital.

This exercise by MHADA to earmark land parcels for affordable housing projects holds significance in the backdrop of the government’s vision of achieving Housing for All by 2022. “We have identified these land parcels based on connectivity and infrastructure as well as availability of vital facilities like water supply that are prerequisites for conception of housing projects there,” said SS Zende, vice president and chief executive officer of  MHADA.

The bulk of expenditure for any real estate project which is the cost of land is least in this case since these land parcels are being allotted to the state housing authority by the government itself. The process of planning and drawing of a roadmap for these housing projects will be initiated after the land is allotted.

Government to take action against official authorities responsible for delay in SRA projects

If there will be any irregularities in the construction of residential units under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, so the action will be initiated within 24 hours of receipt of cheating complaints by the buyers of Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, said Prakash Mehta, Maharashtra Housing Minister. The more he added that the developer was fined because it was found that he was engaged in malpractices and it could increase from present fine which is Rs. 24 lakh if necessary. Maharashtra Housing Minister, Prakash Mehta was replying to the queries about the irregularities complaints which are pending SRA schemes.

Prakash Binsale, MLC of NCP asked that if state government is going to take any action against official authorities then who will be responsible for delay in SRA projects. He also requested that the entire schemes should be implemented by MHADA.

In reply Prakash Mehta, who is Housing Minister, stated that “Total 96 projects on MHADA land and 129 projects on BMC land are pending as concern officials haven’t submitted proposals. However, In December 2014, CM of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis took meeting of all SRA officials and it was first meeting after 13 years so few issues have come up lime light. Most of the MHADA officials accepted that there was no progress in any project in last three years. And now state government is thinking that justice should be done as slum dwellers as awaiting for it and action will be taken against every official without delay if we find instances of cheating.

The present amount of fine which will be levied on developers is approx, Rs. 24 lakh but government will not hesitate to increase the amount of fine if it will be essential. Till now government has fined K K Construction with the fine amount of Rs 24 lakh and recently complaint has been lodged at Mulund Police station against Arihant Construction Company. In last one year the action has been taken against 11 real estate developers. The minister added that government will formulate an ethical and comprehensive policy for Housing and real estate market, though which all the issues of SRA would be addressed regularly.

However, Devendra Fadnavis – CM of Maharashtra has already announced that soon he will bring new Housing policy and after that all the SRA issues will be addressed as per that policy. Whereas; Metha added that, we are inviting opinions from all the concern members.