MHADA seeks BMC support to clear 500-odd small plots in island city

Such plots could be redeveloped for developing open spaces or public amenities, says MHADA

@hepzia

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) wants the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to help it  (MHADA) clear some 500 small plots in the island city.  It intends to propose to ask BMC to take charge of structures on 500 plots, which do not meet the criteria for redevelopment as per the revised Development Control rules.

“There are some 500-odd cessed structures in small plots in island city, which cannot be redeveloped as they do not meet the requisite conditions like either the plots are too small or the roads are too narrow to be allowed redevelopment,” said Vinod Ghosalkar, chairman of the Mumbai Buildings Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) of MHADA.

He explained that many of the plots had either been vacated or demolished up to ground floor since complete demolition is avoided to prevent encroachment. “Such structures become redundant to both the MHADA and the owner himself as he cannot redevelop. So, the BMC could take charge of such plots and develop it for much needed open spaces or public amenities that are much needed in Island city.

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While MHADA could be granted Floor Space Index (FSI) in lieu for providing housing to the tenants and to pass on the benefits to the property owner. The tenants could be accommodated by MHADA in its Master List of houses available with it, comprising of houses provided by various developers,” Ghosalkar. He said that the MHADA is seeking amendments in the MHADA Act, 1976 to intervene in stalled developmental projects to get them going.

“We want to bring the dilapidated buildings under the purview of the Disaster Management Act since such structures are disasters waiting to happen. The state must equip MHADA with powers to acquire and intervene in such structures to avoid disasters,” Ghosalkar said. He also stated as of now MHADA didn’t enjoy much powers save for issuing basic permissions to builders or verifying list of tenants. However, the amendments expected to be passed in the forthcoming monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly should give teeth to MHADA like empowering it to change a truant or underperforming developer or even to take over the redevelopment process to ensure completion within three years.

Ghosalkar hoped that measures like providing 20% of ready reckoner rates to landlords or 15% of saleable component of the project would ensure a better deal from landlords thus reducing their friction with state. The landlords are entangled in a legal battle against the state in Supreme Court demanding better terms for themselves in the redevelopment process.

Meanwhile, in a related development Minister for Housing Dr Jitendra Awhad yesterday handed over the keys to 21 families of the ill-fated Bhanushali building in Fort area at Chikhalwadi area in Tardeo. Four people died and three others were serious injured when the Bhanushali building collapsed on July 16.