Mhada headquarters to undergo redevelopment

Mumbai: The 50-year-old structure known as the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) headquarters or the Grihnirman Bhavan at Kalanagar, Bandra, will be undergoing redevelopment soon.

The redevelopment project is estimated to cost Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore. The Mhada has already shortlisted 21 out of 28 bidders for the project, and the contract will be finalised with one of them by the end of this month.

The Mhada had invited tenders for the project in November last year. The Mhada had specially mentioned in its advertisement that it required an architect consultant of national repute.

“Twenty-eight companies had responded to our advertisements and expressed interest in taking up the project. We have shortlisted 21 bidders and  we will organise a design competition among the shortlisted firms. Based on the designs submitted by them, we will choose one firm that will be awarded the contract. The selected firm will also have to explain how it is going to implement the design,” said Deependra Singh Kushwah, Mhada CEO.

According to Mhada officials, there are two opti-ons for reconstruction — either the existing office building will be retained and a new building will be constructed in two phases; or the entire complex will be redeveloped.

The total area for development is 22,505 sqm. “The actual construction work will start after six months” said Mr Kushwah.

“The existing building is 50 years’ old, which requires structural work regularly. In the last two to three years, we have spent over Rs 50 crore on structural work. But still, the new structure work is required,” said Mr Kushwah.

The development is proposed under Regulation 33 (3) of the Draft Development Control And Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.