Legislators not willing to vacate MLA hostel in Mumbai

As the hostel is in a dilapidated condition, it is going to be redeveloped by NBCC (India) Limited, a Navratna enterprise under the Union ministry of urban development.

Eight days after the deadline to vacate Manora MLA Hostel in Nariman Point expired, only 15 out of the 154 occupied rooms have been vacated so far.

Manora MLA Hostel in Mumbai is in a dilapidated condition and requires redevelopment.(HT File)

Senior public works department (PWD) officials said some MLAs have demanded higher compensatory rent.

As the hostel is in a dilapidated condition, it is going to be redeveloped by NBCC (India) Limited, a Navratna enterprise under the Union ministry of urban development.

The state had decided to disconnect the water and electricity supply to the hotel from February 1 but did not go ahead with it, fearing a backlash.

However, it issued notices to occupants asking them to vacate the hostel by February 1. Senior Mantralaya officials said, “Some MLAs demanded a higher rent amount. Earlier, it was decided occupants with one room will get Rs50,000, and those who use two rooms will get Rs1 lakh.”

Officials said MLAs will be allowed to occupy the premises till the budget session ends in March. “Following the session, we will ask them to vacate the premises. We hope that by then a consensus on the compensatory rent will be reached,” said officials.

In August 2017, a portion of a slab collapsed in the room of an MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Following this, the state government decided to redevelop the hostel which has been in use since 1994.

A meeting was held on Thursday to discuss the details of redevelopment. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was part of the meeting.

“There are options of having either two towers of 50-storeys each, or a tower of 25 storeys and another of 50 storeys,” said an official.

The official said there will be 800 flats of 600sqft and 400sqft for MLAs to use as personal space as well as office space.

Apart from this, parking for 400 cars, a canteen, and a hi-tech gymnasium are on the redevelopment plan.