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Manohar Joshi’s firm may not take up Mahim plot revamp
The redevelopment of 24.18 acres of land at Machhimaar Nagar in Mahim by Kohinoor Group owned by Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi appears to be uncertain as the state government is going to review the project.
The redevelopment of 24.18 acres of land at Machhimaar Nagar in Mahim by Kohinoor Group owned by Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi appears to be uncertain as the state government is going to review the project.
The indication came after Sachin Ahir, state minister for housing, held talks with delegates of Kohinoor Planet Construction.
Ahir said he wanted chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to review the scheme.
“I have asked for a joint meeting as I feel that Mhada, which owns the land, can redevelop the land themselves,” he said.
He asked Debashish Chakraborty, housing secretary, to submit a detailed report on how the project could benefit MHADA and how many houses can be built through it.
“I have also stayed the second phase of the project as the land is owned by the state police department,” he said.
Representatives of Kohinoor refused to comment on the issue.
The 30-acre plot in the island city is one of the biggest land parcels in this land-starved city.
The developers have obtained the consent of the mandatory 70% of the tenants to undertake the revamp.
The high power committee presided by civic chief Sitaram Kunte gave its go-ahead for the first phase of the project and even sent the file to the urban development department headed by the chief minister.
Many officials questioned the logic of handing over such a land parcel to the group when Mhada itself faced land shortage to build affordable houses for people.
“This is a clear case of favouritism as Mhada desperately needs land to build affordable houses. Mhada houses are the only hope of buyers as they cannot afford houses of private builders,” said Utsal Karani, secretary, Janhit Manch.
