Cluster revamp back on Thane's agenda

After an abrupt six-month halt, the cluster development project will pick up in the new year, with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) beginning biometric survey of the residents from January 1 in the five areas slated for reconstruction.

The areas are Rabodi, Kopri, Hajuri, Kisan Nagar and Lokmanyanagar, and their survey will conclude on January 15. "If people from these areas have any objection to cluster development, they can register it with the Thane Municipal Corporation between January 15 and January 22," said Sandip Malvi, public relations officer and deputy municipal commissioner, TMC.

From January 23 to January 28, the TMC will listen to these objections and try to address the residents' concerns. "For this we have established five special cells to listen to and resolve any issues related to the development," he said.

On January 30, the TMC will declare the eligibility and entitlement list of residents who will get houses under the project.

Then the work will speed up. Residents will be required to select a developer who will develop their cluster. "In case people fail to appoint a realtor, then TMC will appoint a realtor through proper bidding process," said Malvi.

Sanjeev Sane of Thane Matdata Jagran Manch (TMJM) said that the TMC needed to clarify as to what would be the criteria for people to get a house.

"What eligibility will their survey have? In many redevelopment schemes four family members have managed to get four houses allotted to them, while those who were eligible but lacked proper documents failed to get a house under SRA," said Sane.