Day 2: Mhada starts temporary website for flat applications

Homebuyers eager to apply for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) low-cost houses were unable to access the website for the second day in row on Friday.

Homebuyers eager to apply for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) low-cost houses were unable to access the website for the second day in row on Friday.

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However, the housing authority has started a temporary website www.mhada.org for applicants seeking to apply for the 2,593 low-cost flats. Till now, only 112 people have been able to apply through the new website.

The website, https://lottery.mhada.gov.in, crashed on the first day of the applications. The problem occurred due to delay in registering the domain name.

“We are hopeful that our website will be functional from Friday night,” said Vaishali Wagh, public relations officer, Mhada.

Political parties criticised Mhada for its failure to get the website running.

“This shows the callousness on Mhada’s part and the state government should take responsibility,” said Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sanjay Bedia.

“In this age of technology, such errors are unforgivable and only serve to raise doubts over the whole allotment system.”

Youth Congress leader Anil Mishra said he would meet top officials from the agency and pursue the matter.

“This is spoiling the name of our government and corrective action should be taken on war footing," he said.

To eliminate errors in filling of application forms experienced during the process in the previous lotteries, it was decided two years back to compulsorily ensure online filling.