Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) plans to construct a township of 18,000 houses at Motilal Nagar in Goregaon, at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore. It has hired a private agency as the project management consultant (PMC) at a cost of Rs 25 crore. “The private agency, Shikre and Associates, will be responsible for planning and designing the township and will undertake the work at a cost of Rs 25 crore,” a MHADA official informed.
Motilal Nagar was built in 1960, to house people from the economically-weak sections. They were provided 200-square feet residences, which were later illegally expanded by several occupants. There are 3,500 occupants on 150 acres of land, all of whom will get new houses. Apart from this, additional housing stock will be generated, to provide affordable homes for all income-groups, MHADA has said.
The official explained, “On the directions of the Bombay High Court last year, it was decided to construct the township so that MHADA can add to its housing stock, which it can then offer in its lottery schemes. The court was told, on this land parcel there are occupants who have illegally extended their houses.
Since it is impossible to demolish them now — for both, the MHADA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the township idea was suggested as a solution. Because of the valuable real estate here, several developers have evinced interest in the project. However, only when the project plan is ready, a builder can be appointed.”
