Mankhurd-Mandale possession this month

Mankhurd-Mandale belt Mhada lottery winners’ year-long wait for their houses has come to an end. They will get possession of their houses by the end of this month. MHADA will remove all encroachment obstructing the laying down of a water pipeline and construct the road for the residents.

Amarjit Singh Manhas, chairman of Mhada’s Mumbai board, said, “We want to give them possession of houses by end of June. Nearly, 160 eligible shanties, which are prior 1995, will be removed. They will be relocated under project-affected people’s scheme. We are also sorting out the defence land issue.”

DNA had highlighted the issue on January 29 and May 31.

Manhas added that they have discussed this issue with the BMC. “BMC has assured us help for relocating the slum dwellers. It has also agreed to issue occupation certificates (OC) to Mhada houses. Once we get those, we will start issuing possession letters,” he said.

“MHADA is now constructing an alternative road by removing hutments. Instead of a 100sq ft road, we are constructing a 25sq ft one, which will be sufficient. We can widen it later. Once the road is done, the BMC can issue OCs. After that, we can ask for water connections and other facilities,” said an official.

On the other hand, winners grumbled that they were forced to cancel the house-warming ceremony because of the delay. “How long should we wait? If the government will do this, then who should we trust?,” said a winner. “Nonetheless, it’s good that MHADA is doing something. I hope June will be a lucky month for us.”