Affordable homes will soon be reality in Kharghar

If you hope to own your own space in Navi Mumbai, there is some good news. The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) has almost finalised the layout planning of homes for the Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in Kharghar, and construction is likely to begin in next few months. CIDCO has decided to build 2,920 homes for the LIG and EWS in Kharghar node as per its latest layout planning.

"We cannot comment on the exact number of LIG and EWS homes, as the final layout planning is underway and the number might change. As per our criteria, homes for the LIG will be built with a carpet area of 360 sq ft while homes for the EWS will be built with a carpet area of 280 sq ft," said a senior CIDCO official, on condition of anonymity.

Board of directors
After the completion of the layout planning and designing for the LIG and ESW homes in Kharghar, the plan will be put before a CIDCO board of directors. "After their approval, construction work will be allotted to a private contractor," said the official. However, CIDCO has reportedly not decided a date for the home scouters to start applying. Homes will be allotted by a lottery system.

Top priority
Also, CIDCO has undertaken surveys at its lands in Vashi and Kopri for the construction of more homes under its 10,000-homes construction scheme. According to sources, though the body has not decided on the type of homes that will be built, the LIG and EWS will be given priority.

MD Lele, chief planner of CIDCO, confirmed the developments. "Layout planning work is in its final stage at the Kharghar site. The final plan will be out in the next few days. We are carrying out surveys and layout planning at Vashi and Kopri for construction of more houses but it is in the initial stage," added Lele.

A year ago, CIDCO decided to construct over 10,000 homes in Navi Mumbai for all categories and started construction of 1,118 homes for Middle Income Group (MIG) and High
Income Group (HIG) in November last year.u00a0