Govt plans move to help transit camp dwellers

There are 8,448 families which are deemed as encroachers by Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA)

After years of struggle, the state government finally announced a plan to regularise the encroachers in transit camps. This move will provide an impetus to the redevelopment of transit camps, which are in bad shape.

Speaking on the launch of the housing policy on Friday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, called the encroachers victims. (HT File Photo)

Speaking on the launch of the housing policy on Friday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, called the encroachers victims. “Many have purchased houses while others have been fraudulently ‎shifted to these homes by officials after demolishing their houses,” said Fadnavis. He said the decision was necessary.

There are 8,448 families which are deemed as encroachers by Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA). The state wants them to pay Rs50,000 as deposit and Rs6,000 as monthly rent.

Activist Anjali Damania, who had fought for ‎those living in transit camps, said, “The dwellers are finally relieved as they can now own their houses. The fear of eviction has come to an end,” she said.

In the 1970s, residents living in old, dilapidated buildings were moved to MHADA transit camps on the condition that they would return to their houses after the completion of the redevelopment work. However, the revamp was disallowed because of various issues such as road-widening projects, reservation as playground or litigation. So, the tenants continued to live in the transit camps. Many have even sold the houses to others, who are now branded as encroachers.