Disgruntled residents of 56 Mhada colonies hit the streets

Mumbai: Residents of 56 Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) colonies hit the streets on Monday commencing a week-long hunger strike against the state government, concerned about the uncertainty over the redevelopment of dilapidated buildings.  Residents questioned the state’s intention over merely announcing the housing policy for redevelopment but not coming out with an official government resolution (GR) on the same.

The residents are demanding the implementation of a state government notification regarding the 33 (5) of Development Control Regulations (DCR) that came out in 2008, entitling them to get an area of around 600 square feet tenements including fungible Floor Space Index (FSI).  “The state government announced the policy earlier this year with a condition that the developers would have to give housing stock for the redevelopment, which in a way is bringing down the benefits for us by us getting only 300 square feet in the end. Earlier, developers were given an option giving premium for the same but now they are asked for housing stock,” said Deepak Anaokar, member, Mhada Redevelopment Samiti.

Mr Anaokar, added, “The government should at least come out with an official rather than coming out with mere announcements.”

Meanwhile, Mhada chief executive officer S.S. Zende told The Asian Age, “I am told that the decision of coming with the official GR is with the state government and is at various stages of getting approved and being released. I have met a delegation of residents.”