After failing to get bidders after fifth extension, Mhada chalking out ways for successful implementation of venture
After failing to get bidders for the rehabilitation project of 2,000 tribals from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and 24,959 slum dwellers living in and around Aarey Colony for the fifth time, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) is now reconsidering its plan.
Now, that the project has been put on hold, the housing authority is chalking out ways for successful implementation of the project and draw bidders for it.
Sources attributed the no-show to transferable development rights (TDR) being given in lieu of such a big construction project, estimated to cost nearly Rs 3,510 crore. TDR allows a builder to construct over and above the permissible floor space index (FSI) for a plot. “The reason we gauge that developers aren’t coming ahead is because of TDR. The reality market isn’t in good shape and thus selling TDR in the market is further difficult,” said an official associated with the project.
The official further added, “We have decided to send the file back to Mantralaya. Expecting a developer to work only for TDR doesn’t seem to be a wise decision. The project has no sale component. A small payment for the project might draw in developers.”
The rehabilitation project is aimed at removing the encroachment from the national park, a protected land. It entails building houses keeping in mind tribals’ lifestyles. Under the project, each eligible tribal family is expected to get a one-story house with a terrace open to the sky and a courtyard. The carpet area of these houses will be 300 sqft and construction loading would not be more than 20% of the carpet area.
In the case of the slum dwellers, each apartment will have a carpet area of 300 sqft. The bidder will have to construct a multi-storeyed building with a maximum height as permitted by the Airport Authority of India. The construction loading would not be more than 50% of the carpet area.
The tribals will be rehabilitated on 43 acres, while the slum dwellers will be accommodated on 47 acres of land. The tender specifies that maximum existing trees are required to be retained.
The time limit for construction of the houses is 48 months including monsoons. The first tender was issued in December 2018 by MHADA’s Borivali division. Since then, there have been four futile attempts.
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