Civic officials question proposal to give Mahim plot to Kohinoor .
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) is close to giving a prime Mahim plot for redevelopment to the Kohinoor group, without any bidding process and in violation of other development control rules.
It is said that the redevelopment of the 24.18 acres of land, located at Machhimar Nagar in Mahim, would be worth an estimated Rs5,000 crore.
The decision to get the plot developed was taken last month and Mhada issued a no-objection certificate. The proposal is awaiting clearance of the high-power committee for cluster redevelopment.
According to the development control rules of the central urban renewal mission, government plots larger than 2,000sqm should be developed by Mhada itself. This is different from other redevelopment projects where government owns only small parts and the contracts have been given to private developers. (The 24.18 acres plot is equivalent to 98,874 sq m.)
Rule 33(9) allows the developer to avail an FSI (floor space index) of 4 which works out to a potential value of Rs50 crore per acre, as per the current market rate in Mahim. The conservative value of the project is estimated at Rs5,000 crore.
“This 24.18 acres plot is owned by Mhada, ONGC and the state police department. It is occupied by various slum dwellers,” a civic official said, requesting anonymity. “As per the proposal before the high-power committee, the Kohinoor group will redevelop the plot in two phases. In the first, 38,350sqm will be taken up, and in the second, the remainder 60,524sqm will be redeveloped.”
The official said that at the last high-power committee meeting earlier this month, objections were raised over the decision to give the plot to a private developer in violation of the rules of the urban renewal mission.
Senior state government officials pointed out that Mhada is constantly cribbing about not having enough land to build affordable housing in the city. “Here, they have got a huge land parcel, but they are giving it away to the Kohinoor group without much thought. This is an inappropriate decision and will deprive many homeless people of an affordable dream home,” an official said.
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