CIDCO lottery applicants staged a massive human chain protest in Vashi on Monday, demanding a reduction in housing prices for the 26,000 homes allocated under the CIDCO housing scheme.
The protest was led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Navi Mumbai. In October 2024, CIDCO announced a lottery for 26,000 houses in Navi Mumbai under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). However, applicants claim that the housing prices were set far beyond the reach of the common people, contradicting the scheme’s objective.
The protest was led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Navi Mumbai. | File Image
The protest was led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Navi Mumbai. | File Image
"Protesters accused CIDCO of misleading the public through advertisements that promised affordable homes but ultimately priced them at unaffordable rates" said the party president Gajanan Kale. The agitation began with a representation of CIDCO chained in iron shackles.
The demonstrators then marched from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk to Arenja Corner, where they formed a human chain in protest.Holding placards with slogans such as "Reduce the prices, lower CIDCO's housing rates!" and "They promised cheap homes but left us disappointed," the protesters expressed their outrage over the unaffordable pricing structure"
.Many raised concerns over CIDCO’s decision to allocate smaller homes than advertised, alleging that 322 sq. ft. units were promised but only 290 sq. ft. units were being offered. CIDCO was also questioned for offering 300 sq. ft. homes in Navi Mumbai for ₹80 lakh, while MHADA provides 500 sq. ft. homes in Kurla for ₹50 lakh.
