After four years' wait, 300 policemen to get staff quarters in Sion

Police personnel waiting to get staff quarters since 2008 may soon find themselves residing in the heart of the city. Later this year, the Mumbai Police will get possession of 300 tenements at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion to be used as staff quarters.

In 2008, these apartments, 350 sq ft each, were reserved for police staff quarters for which Rs28 crore was paid to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). However, the process later hit a dead end due to non-payment of stamp duty worth Rs 1.31 on account of inadequate funds with the police department.

Sources in the Mhada said their vice president on Wednesday cleared files related to the physical possession of houses for the Mumbai Police. According to an Mhada official, the apartments will be officially handed over to the police department later this year.

Earlier this year, Mhada sent a hard-hitting letter claiming that they have incurred maintenance cost to the tune of Rs74 lakh.

The sources said that since they have not received payment towards stamp duty, they will retain 29 flats to recover the cost. This letter received a swift response from the police department who immediately paid up Rs 1.31 crore for stamp duty.

On Wednesday, the Mhada waived off the maintenance cost of Rs74 lakh.

“The process to hand over possession of flats have begun,” said the official.

“The policemen are likely to get the houses by the year-end,” he added.

 The buildings housing the 300 tenements were ready in 2010.

TIMELINE
2008: Mhada reserves 300 homes for Police staff quarters

2008: Police pays Rs28 cr but default on stamp duty payment

2008-2013: Mhada spends Rs74 lakh on maintenance

2010: The Mhada buildings meant for policemen were ready

2013: Mhada sends a letter stating it will take away 29 flats to foot maintenance bills

Sept 2013: Police cough up Rs1.31 cr for stamp duty

Sept 2013: Maintenance amount waived off