MHADA redevelopment could house 50,000 families

If the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has its way, Mumbai will have nearly half a lakh more homes in the heart of the island city. There are approximately 1,200 buildings belonging to MHADA situated on the Bombay Port Trust (BPT) land that currently house more than 25,000 families. MHADA has already written to the Trust asking them for permission to redevelop the buildings, as most of them are dilapidated and need urgent attention.

Pic for representational purposes only

According to MHADA Repair Board Chairman Prasad Lad, who signed the letter to BPT, the buildings are in a very bad shape. "We have asked BPT for permission to redevelop nearly 1,200 buildings located on their land. BPT can take premium from the developer and let the redevelopment take place," said Lad.

MHADA is in the process of collating the list, but sources in the apex body claim that most of the BPT land and the buildings are in Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mazgaon, Sewri, Wadala and other areas, within the island city.

According to Lad, double the number of the current 25,000 families could be accommodated in the new homes that would come up for sale after the redevelopment.

"We want MHADA to redevelop these buildings. We have requested an NOC from MHADA should be made mandatory for all the buildings. These are cessed properties, if any of the buildings collapse, MHADA not BPT has to give them a home for transit accommodation. We have had a dialogue with BPT and have got a positive response from them on the same," said Lad.

R Gupta, Chairman, BPT, confirmed receiving the letter from MHADA and said, "We will sit with MHADA officials to figure it out."u00a0Representatives from MHADA and BPT will have a meeting on December 28 to identify the buildings located on BPT land.u00a0