Govt may modify MMRDA’s rental housing project

In a major shuffle from the original concept of the rental housing project of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the state may modify the project’s execution.

According to authority sources, the role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), where the project is being implemented, will be larger than what it is at present. They may be asked to use the rented houses as rehabilitation for various project-affected people in their jurisdiction. “The chief minister will review the entire scenario related to various housing projects (in a meeting on Tuesday). Rental housing is one of them,” said MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana.

However, sources have confirmed that major modifications in the project module are on the cards. “The ULBs are likely to have more say in the project,” said a top source.

Meanwhile, the state environment ministry has given the project a green signal in parts of districts of Thane and Raigad falling under the MMR’s jurisdiction. Clearance has come for the proposed 25,000 rental houses in these districts. “Recent representations and a letter from the state to the environmental authority chairman achieved the desired approvals for 10 projects,” said additional metropolitan commissioner SVR Srinivas. Last week, the state environment impact assessment authority cleared 10 projects in Raigad and Thane districts. MMRDA has granted 50 in principle locational clearances for about 2.75 lakh units and work for about 13,000 units is on in Thane, Mira-Bhayander and Panvel.