Medha demands alternative models

Terming the current housing redevelopment policies as pro-builder, social activist Medha Patkar on Tuesday demanded alternative redevelopment models, which she claims, will enable affordable housing for a larger population in the city.

Terming the current housing redevelopment policies as pro-builder, social activist Medha Patkar on Tuesday demanded alternative redevelopment models, which she claims, will enable affordable housing for a larger population in the city.

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“The state government can acquire 30,000 acres in Mumbai under the Urban Land Ceiling Act. This, if used to provide affordable housing, will benefit nearly 90 lakh people in the city,” said Patkar.

The government scrapped the ULC Act but can still acquire the land declared surplus under the Act, aimed at limiting individual land holdings, said Simpreet Singh, housing activist.

“The Maharashtra Slum Act says slumdwellers can undertake self-redevelopment but the Slum Rehabilitation Authority encourages only builder-friendly rules,” Patkar said at a press conference followed by a public meeting.

“We had proposed this plan in 2007 to then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh but the officials didn’t give appropriate response. We hope for positive response from the current CM,” added Patkar.

The proposal said architects would draw out plans to suit the residents and the developer on a contract basis. A meeting of the chief secretary and activists is expected this month to discuss the implementation of Rajiv Awas Yojana, a Centre’s slum redevelopment scheme that doesn’t consider a cut-off date for approving eligibility of a slumdweller.