The Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (Mhada) will now want the approval of the national housing branch for each redevelopment on its 5,000-plus sqft plots. A round issued on Monday stated Mhada and its Slum Improvement Board, which is accountable for the utilisation of MP and MLA funds, will want country authorities approval to elevate out any improvement work.
Recently, the housing branch has issued many authorities resolutions requiring Mhada to clear tasks with it earlier than issuing the NOC and Letter of Intent for the redevelopment of constructions on Mhada properties. The round now specifies plot sizes.
Mhada has 104 residential layouts in the town with large open areas that are encroached or taken over underneath the guise of enchancment through trusts related to elected representatives. Many MPs and MLAs frequently use their neighbourhood region improvement cash to construct a neighbourhood hall, gymnasium and such amenities. They make sure that these are leased to their trusts which commonly flip them into non-public enterprises, denying everyday residents get entry to to the open spaces, stated sources.
“The authorities have learnt from the redevelopment of Patra Chawl, a forty-seven-acre Mhada plan in Goregaon that is stalled for 22 years. The developer offered parcels of Mhada land to 9 builders and authentic residents are nevertheless to get homes,” stated officials. The round says that in many redevelopment cases, the authorities can’t do a factor when it receives complaints from residents as it has no management on such projects.
However, observers stated the choice may additionally no longer yield higher administration or transparency. “It is genuine scams are occurring below Mhada’s watch, however, this is authorities attempting to micromanage. It may want to have appointed its representatives to the Mhada board and sought month-to-month reports,” stated a source.
An architect said, on anonymity, that they would now want to method Mantralaya for each and every issue. Mhada ex-president and housing activist Chandrashekar Prabhu stated no selections are taken through Mhada except the government’s nod. “The housing secretary and other bureaucrats are participants of the Mhada board. Mhada authority does now not approve something barring the housing secretary’s consent. The happenings in Patra chawl have been usually recognized to the then government,” he said.
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