Mumbai: 80% return MHADA's Parel flats

Six months after winning their 'affordable' dream homes at Lower Parel in the 2017 MHADA lottery, nearly 80 per cent of the winners have returned the flats to the housing authority. The 36 flats admeasuring 363 square feet (sq ft) and 475 sq ft at Lower Parel, range between Rs 1.42 crore and Rs 1.96 crore. The reason cited by winners, who returned the flats is the 'tiny size' and `exorbitant price' of the flats.

A senior official from MHADA's Mumbai Board said, "Till now 29 winners have refused their claim to the flats." Deependra Singh Khuswaha, chief officer of MHADA Mumbai board confirmed that many winners had refused to take the Lower Parel flats.

Sharda Tandur, a MHADA flat winner, who refused to take the house said, "We returned the flat because of financial constraints. The cost of the apartment is too much." The current market rate of residential property in the area is between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 per sq ft.

The housing authority will now pass down the returned flats to those who are in the Wait List (WL), but officials are doubtful if the WL members will buy the 1-BHK Lower Parel flats. Kushwaha said, "If the homes still remain unclaimed then we will include them in the future lottery. The rates will be revised as per the norms."

Officials said that many winners had refused to claim the MHADA flats at Powai as well, which cost around Rs 1.39 crore. This is the first time that aspiring homebuyers have returned MHADA flats.