Mumbai: In a bid to expedite the redevelopment of cessed buildings, which are in an extremely dilapidated condition, the State government has decided to allow MHADA to redevelop the structures if the owner does not take any initiative for the same. MHADA will acquire these buildings and redevelop them, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced while replying to a debate on this issue in the Assembly.
The government will make a suitable amendment in the law to empower MHADA to acquire and redevelop the cess buildings. This decision will earn the government brownie points in the Assembly election as it will benefit lakhs of middle class and upper middle class families. In the Island City alone, there are more than 30 Assembly segments.
An 8-member committee comprising MLAs had suggested this way out to redevelop cessed buildings and the government has accepted the solution. There are around 20 lakh occupants in these cessed building in Mumbai. As many of these buildings are on the verge of collapse, they need immediate redevelopment. But the owners of these buildings are not forthcoming and ready to undertake the development. In the given circumstances, tenants or occupants are helpless as they do not have any legal recourse to undertake the redevelopment.
This decision will help these tenants who are largely middle class and Marathi speaking. According to sources, the owners will be given 2 to 3 months to initiate the redevelopment process. If he is not inclined, MHADA will take over the building and undertake the redevelopement.
Benefits of MHADA redevelopment: This will help speed up the redevelopment of a well-planned township or cluster like projects in the island city. This will, in turn, enhance the vertical growth in Island City, especially South Mumbai.
It will also serve to carve out bigger living space for current occupants who are living in very small and congested places. It will also generate additional housing stock which will be available for sale to common public by MHADA. With the FSI and other concessions, it will also provide space for public parking and other essential public utilities in these areas. This will also help in easing traffic jams in these areas.
