Mhada’s redevelopment scheme in trouble

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) revamp scheme, under which the occupants were forced to hand over their apartments in Mhada colonies for the affordable housing project, seems to be in trouble.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) revamp scheme, under which the occupants were forced to hand over their apartments in Mhada colonies for the affordable housing project, seems to be in trouble.

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The state government, on Wednesday, announced that gauging the poor response to the scheme, it would instruct Mhada to rework it. “The response to the scheme has been poor. The state would ask Mhada to bring out a new proposal within a month,” said Sachin Ahir, minister of state for housing.

For years, developers have been offering premium amount to Mhada as compensation while revamping its colonies. The scarcity of land, two years ago, led to the insistence on readymade houses being handed over from the builders to the authority. Mhada, in turn, would sell these houses at low cost through the lottery system. However, builders have been opposing the scheme claiming that it is unviable.

Members of the legislative council wanted the state to ensure simpler rules as the current ones are hindering the process. “There are tremendous delays which only causes inconvenience to the residents,” said Vinod Tawde, leader of the legislative council.