MHADA chalks out 'pressure' strategy over redevelopment

For the first time in its history, MHADA has issued a show cause notice to 165 ongoing redevelopment projects that have been delayed for more than 10-years. The reason behind this better-late-than-never reaction is the pressure on the authority to get rid of old buildings, which collapse during monsoon thereby causing loss of several innocent lives. The aim of this show cause notice is to make the developers, who have stalled the project, feel threatened and complete the project at the earliest. The authority has even sought approval from the government that they be allowed to take over the project.

Sumant Bhange, chief officer, Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) of MHADA, confirmed the figures. He said, "We have issued these notices so that the developers feel the pressure and begin the projects that are stuck since years. The law permits that we can takeover the projects that are stalled for a period of 10-years and above, if after the show cause notice issued there is no satisfactory reply from the NOC holder."

Originally, there were total 18,642 old and dilapidated cess buildings in Mumbai. The MBRRB has reconstructed total 946 old and dilapidated cess buildings. As on today, there are 14,286 old and cess buildings and the board has granted NOCs for their redevelopment under Development Control Rules 33 (7) to 2058 schemes. Of this, 699 schemes have been completed, and 18,580 tenants have been rehabilitated. According to data available from MHADA, around 1500 schemes comprising of 52,000 tenants is in progress.

However, there are 165 schemes where work has not yet begun even after the lapse of over 10-years. The action of issuing show cause notices to the concerned NOC holders and cancellation of NOCs is in progress.

PRESSURE TACTICS

Officials said the show-cause notices are aimed at stepping up pressure on the developers of stalled projects to nudge them to finish construction