Mumbai: Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the state government has allowed builders to redevelop dilapidated Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) buildings in the city in lieu of 40 per cent premium. The decision was long pending, as the government wanted housing stock from the builders for affordable houses. The decision will pave the way for redevelopment of 56 dilapidated buildings in the city, but without creating housing stock.
The Congress-led government had opposed the idea of charging premium from the builders instead of housing stock. However, the BJP-led government has approved the proposal on Thursday just before the BMC polls to be announced. Housing minister Prakash Mehta expressed confidence that the decision would create more housing stock. “The additional FSI given to the dilapidated buildings would create more houses. They would buy the extra houses from developers and make it available as an affordable houses,” Mr Mehta said. He also said one lakh such houses can be made available this way.
As per the decision, “for the development of a building on area of 2,000 sq mt would get 3 Floor Space Index (FSI). The condition of housing stock has been removed. If the area is 4,000 sq mt or more, the FSI 4 would be given. The 300 sq ft flat would get 76 sq ft extra after redevelopment.” There are over 10,000 Mhada buildings located in Vikhroli, Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Kurla and other places. Some of these structures are now in a dilapidated condition and need repair. Earlier, the government used to give an FSI of 1.2, plus transfer of development rights, in return for a premium or housing stock.
The premium on houses for Economically Weaker Section and Lower Income Group varies from 40 per cent to 55 per cent. The premium on houses for Middle Income Group varies from 60 per cent to 75 per cent while for Higher Income Group it will be from 80 to 95 per cent. Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan called the move anti-poor. “I was against premium-based development. We need housing stock for poor. When I was the chief minister, there was tremendous pressure from the builders to get away with a condition of housing stock. But the state government’s decision is anti-poor and they should reconsider it,” he said.
Congress Mumbai president Sanjay Nirupam said, “We have always supported redevelopment of old Mhada buildings. But this decision seems to have been taken in favour of the builders. The development has to be pro-public and not for the builders.”
