Redevelopment hit as housing board sits on files
The real estate redevelopment in the city continued to suffer as approximately 169 proposals are currently pending before the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) for approval. The proposals are unlikely to get a green signal this year, as the chief officer of the Mhada (Mumbai Board) Satish Bhide has gone on leave as his resignation is not yet accepted by the state government.
Subhash Hazare, chief officer (Repair Board), who is currently holding the additional charge as Mhada chief officer, is also not signing any new proposals citing that it is a temporary arrangement.
As a result, the Mumbai board meeting scheduled on December 22 is unlikely to see any proposals for redevelopment in Mhada colonies.
The societies going for redevelopment suffer by such delays. Officials need to speed up the process, said Virendra Upadhyaya, senior member, Mhada (Mumbai Board).
Another contentious issue facing the state housing board officials is of the housing stock of low-cost apartments to be taken from the developers.
Till date, developers always paid premium amount instead of handing over houses to the state housing board.
However, due to the scarcity of land, the housing board officials, on September 20, had insisted compulsorily on houses instead of a premium to create a handsome stock of low-cost apartments.
The problem confronting is of 69 proposals submitted before September 20 whether to take premium or the houses. While the board members have been insisting on premium, the officials want houses.
We need houses and this is the best chance, said a MHADA official, who refused to be named.
However, board member Upadhyaya said that rule is applicable after the proposal was accepted. It is unfair to force societies to change their plans after keeping their plans pending for such a long time. We will anyway get houses for all proposals submitted after the said date, he added.