Mhada’s BKC project to have pool, gym

In a first for Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Authority (Mhada), the housing agency has envisaged a luxurious residential enclave, complete with modern amenities, on an 18,000 square-metre plot at Bharat Nagar in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The housing complex will include a clubhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium and facilities for a host of other sporting activities.

These homes to be sold through the Mhada lottery system in the upcoming years will cater to the high income group (HIG), said officials.

The Mhada has already sent the proposal for constructing 360 HIG flats to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), as it is the special planning authority for BKC. “The idea is to construct apartments with state-of-the-art amenities keeping in mind the international standards.

The construction will include towers with approximately 14 floors. The homes will be 3-BHK units with an area of 1,000 square feet (carpet area). The price of each apartment will be around Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore, depending on how soon the work is completed. The revenue generated thus will be used to construct houses for lower income group (LIG) and middle income group (MIG),” said a senior Mhada official, who did not wish to be named.

Earlier in January 2016, the state urban development issued a notification approving the conversion of 18,000-square metre commercial plot into residential land.

Mhada had requested MMRDA for the conversion from commercial to residential, as the housing agency does not construct commercial complexes. Following the request, the MMRDA forwarded the proposal to the UDD, which then approved the conversion by issuing a notification in January 2016.

“We will implement the construction on turnkey basis, where private developers will be asked to complete the construction and hand over the flats to Mhada and we will add them to the housing stock of Mhada. Considering the amenities being provided with the apartments, the monthly rent for each tenant will be more than the normal prevalent rent,” said the Mhada official.

Currently, the land is occupied by transit homes with about 750 tenants. As Mhada plans to redevelop the area, tenants will be given an alternative accommodation.