Dharavi makeover: Mhada calls for fresh tenders again

The Dharavi redevelopment project continues to face hurdles as the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) on Friday decided to call for fresh tenders, for the third time, to select Project Management Consultants (PMC) for Sector 5.

The Dharavi redevelopment project continues to face hurdles as the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) on Friday decided to call for fresh tenders, for the third time, to select Project Management Consultants (PMC) for Sector 5.

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Sachin Ahir, minister of state for housing, said the decision was taken in view of poor response the previous two times. “We feel more people will come this time,” said Ahir.

Last time, there were two bidders, of which the Premnath Associates scored over the PK Das Group.

PMC is required to undertake a social survey, development plan and land analysis and also suggest ways to make the project financially viable.

Critics have called it a directionless project. “They should first develop political will or else it will only be prolonged for years,” said Raju Kode, president, Dharavi Bachao Samitee, an organisation working towards transparency in the project.

The revamp plan mooted in 2004 has been facing a host of problems and even the global tenders to select the developers were scrapped recently.