Will construct houses at affordable rates in Mumbai: Ravindra Waikar

The Maharashtra government on Thursday said it will construct affordable houses for people belonging to middle and lower-middle income group with an aim to 'lessen' number of slums in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra government on Thursday said it will construct affordable houses for people belonging to middle and lower-middle income group with an aim to "lessen" number of slums in Mumbai.

"It was Balasaheb's (Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray's) dream to see Mumbai slum free. The government will work towards fulfilling his dream. If the common man gets to buy a house at affordable rates, the number of slums will automatically go down," Maharashtra minister of state for housing, Ravindra Waikar said after formally taking charge of his office at the State Secretariat in Mumbai.

The minister claimed that around 200 development projects in the city have been stalled due to difference of opinion on various issues between Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

"It will be our priority to ensure that pre-cast material used in the construction of buildings in the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) Scheme matches with that of other saleable buildings. We cannot let sub-standard material be used in any constructions," he said.

Stating that mill workers in the city have long been ignored, the minister said that special importance will be given to providing homes to them.

"Mill workers have long been demanding housing facilities. But they have been ignored. They need to be given justice. Positive steps will be taken to provide housing facilities to mill workers," he said.