Rental housing scheme awaits CM nod
The MMRDA’s rental housing scheme has become one of the worst-hit projects in its kitty. Around 5,000 flats have already been constructed by builders at 17 sites in Thane district. However, the MMRDA is reluctant to take possession as it still awaits the CM’s approval on the allotment policy.
This scheme was launched in 2008 to prevent the growing number of slums and to offer homes to bonafide persons at affordable rates.
A target of 5 lakh units was set for five years with rentals ranging from `800 to `1,400 for a 160 sq ft flat per month to Mumbaikars with domicile certificates.
The MMRDA had sanctioned location clearance to 41 projects by March 2012, and expected about a lakh rental houses in the following couple of years. Out of these, 20 projects received permission to execute the projects.
A fire incident was reported on April 10, 2012 at Dosti Vihar project and it still awaits occupancy. This builder constructed 1,492 flats of 160 sq feet in its two projects Dosti Vihar and Dosti Imperia at Vartak Nagar, in Thane. These projects together comprise 32 shops, four balwadis, four welfare centers and four cabins for caretakers.
“It is really unfortunate that thousands of flats are ready, but are lying unoccupied,” said an official from the MMRDA on the condition of anonymity.
Sources from the MMRDA said, “We have asked the state government to finalise the allotment policy. However, a year has already passed and the process hasn’t gathered any momentum.”
The recent decision on merging two flats into one has made life tougher for the MMRDA. Builders are, therefore, facing an additional financial burden.
The MMRDA has also said that only 50 per cent of flats would be given on rent and 50 per cent will be allotted to local bodies and state government staff.
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