Dwellers will rally today for the implementation of government notification which entitles them to 600 sqft tenements
Residents of 56 Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Authority (Mhada) colonies across the city will take out a protest rally from Kher Nagar signal to the Mhada head office in Bandra East on Thursday. This protest will be to demand implementation of a state government notification regarding Rule 33 (5) of Development Control Regulations (DCR) dated December 6, 2008 which entitles the residents to get 600 sqft tenements including fungible FSI.
“When the government can legalise illegal slums and give 300 sqft houses free to those who do not pay any tax, then why can’t they give us justice? We pay all the taxes and are authorised residents living in these buildings for more than 50 years. Last December, the government had promised us that our demands will be met. But we are far from getting justice. If the government does not accept our demands, we will intensify our protest,” said Vikas Bhagat, member of Mahasangh, and resident of Khernagar.
At present, these residents are forced to live in 225 sqft homes in buildings which are in dilapidated condition. “Tenants are angry because implementation of the notification which allows redevelopment of old buildings has been delayed,” said Dr Nilima Vaidya, chairman of building number 45 from Gandhinagar in Bandra East.
“However, the then state government came out with the policy with a rider that the developers would have to hand over the stock of houses to Mhada which they could use in lottery. This decision left the tenants in the lurch as they were getting only 300 sqft since the benefits would be shared with the housing authority and developers. Consequently, most projects slated to go under redevelopment were stalled as residents did not accept this decision and the stalemate resulted in deterioration of buildings over the years,” added Vaidya.
Mahesh Shetty, resident of one such dilapidated building in Khernagar, said that people lived there under constant fear. “We want to go for redevelopment but how can we accept 300 sqft? People do not want to leave this prime locality and move towards far-off suburbs,” said an agitated Shetty. His neighbours also lamented the apathetic approach of the government.
Shrirang Pol, secretary of Bhadekaru Sangh of Nirmal Nagar, another Mhada colony in Bandra East, said: “We hope that this government will bring the issue to a logical end.” Pol’s sister resides in one such dangerous building along with 10 other families. The building is in dispute after the residents entered into the agreement with the developer.
Mhada buildings in Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar have a similar story. Saraswati Yadav of building number 145 had a narrow escape in November. “Even as we were stepping out, a huge chunk of a slab from the ceiling collapsed on the bedding spread for us. We were stunned and were scared at the thought of what would have happened if we were sleeping there,” said Yadav. She said redevelopment was the only hope for all the colonies.
SS Zhende, Chief Executive Officer of Mhada, said that the agency was the implementing body but policy decisions are taken by the government. “We will implement the notification if the Urban Development Department takes a decision on it,” said Zhende.
Balkrishna Shinde, member of co-ordination committee said, “Mhada is a government agency, but is trying to get commercial gains at our cost.”
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