Prahaar Newspaper (Mumbai Edition) dt. 26th Feb. 2014.
Friday 28 February 2014
Monday 24 February 2014
Friday 21 February 2014
People have faith in MHADA as an institution:
Prithviraj Chavan
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
How has the
significance of MHADA and its objective vis-a-vis affordable housing increased
over the years?
Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, is the sole nodal agency of the state government, which is providing affordable housing to the last section of the society. MHADA has in last 6 decades provided affordable housing to nearly 6 lakh families in Maharshtra of which 2 lakh are in Mumbai alone.
Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, is the sole nodal agency of the state government, which is providing affordable housing to the last section of the society. MHADA has in last 6 decades provided affordable housing to nearly 6 lakh families in Maharshtra of which 2 lakh are in Mumbai alone.
Mumbai faces the
huge challenges of urbanization. Land shortage and expensive housing options
have raised the demand for affordable houses.
The government has
taken various policy decisions to ameliorate the situation, which would raise
nearly a lakh affordable houses through MHADA alone in near future. Additional
housing stock is a must at a time when the middle class was finding it
difficult to purchase homes in the city.
What are the efforts
being made through MHADA to increase the housing stock?
The spatial growth and sprawl of the city is guided by the development and the Development Control Regulation. Hence, the state has basically taken up the task of amending the DCR in order to increase the housing stock. Aiming to tide over the shortage of land to build affordable houses, the MHADA has taken up various initiatives including the redevelopment of its 56 old housing colonies. In the housing policy, the authority has chosen the option of housing stock instead of the premium from the developers. Thus, after the redevelopment of old MHADA colonies the developers will compulsorily share housing stock with MHADA, which would be made available at the affordable rate to the citizens.
The spatial growth and sprawl of the city is guided by the development and the Development Control Regulation. Hence, the state has basically taken up the task of amending the DCR in order to increase the housing stock. Aiming to tide over the shortage of land to build affordable houses, the MHADA has taken up various initiatives including the redevelopment of its 56 old housing colonies. In the housing policy, the authority has chosen the option of housing stock instead of the premium from the developers. Thus, after the redevelopment of old MHADA colonies the developers will compulsorily share housing stock with MHADA, which would be made available at the affordable rate to the citizens.
Besides, the
amendment in the 33/5 regulation of DCR has increased the permissible FSI cap
from 2.5 to 3. It would not only attract the builders but would also provide
bigger houses to the residents of the old buildings. Also the task of
redevelopment of Motilal Nagar, entrusted by the High Court, would fetch a good
amount of housing stock for the citizens by MHADA.
DCR 33(9), which
pertains to cluster development, would definitely give impetus to the
affordable housing. The new amendments would be a challenge to the public to
enhance their cluster sites thereby to avail more benefits in terms of square
feet and better amenities.
Also, to increase
the housing stock, MHADA has decided to undertake Slum Rehabilitation Scheme
(SRA) on its own land. The authority has already received 20 projects. Also
MHADA has taken up housing project on trunk key schemes on its various vacant
plots, which would also fetch a good amount of housing stock.
The joint venture
activities are also being encouraged by MHADA. The land owners along with
developers can avail the incentives of three FSI if they join hand with MHADA
for developing any private housing project.
Redevelopment of
Mumbai is an aspect where MHADA can be a game changer; how do you see this
happening and in which parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region/ Maharashtra?
The initiatives taken up by MHADA in the redevelopment of Mumbai definitely can be termed as a game changer. With MHADA involving itself in the redevelopment activities directly, the property rates would affect the market prices and a huge housing stock will also be made available.
The initiatives taken up by MHADA in the redevelopment of Mumbai definitely can be termed as a game changer. With MHADA involving itself in the redevelopment activities directly, the property rates would affect the market prices and a huge housing stock will also be made available.
MHADA exemplifies
the concept of basic housing at affordable rates; how would you rank its
performance, the trust and brand equity it has built up over the decades?
Being a government mechanism/ agency people have faith in MHADA as an institution. For the very reason whenever the housing authority declares its advertisement for the sale of affordable houses, it receives a huge response. The applications received by the authority runs in lakhs.
Being a government mechanism/ agency people have faith in MHADA as an institution. For the very reason whenever the housing authority declares its advertisement for the sale of affordable houses, it receives a huge response. The applications received by the authority runs in lakhs.
Transparency in
administration is the main principle being followed by the housing authority.
The state takes pride in fulfilling the long pending demand for housing for the
mill workers at comparatively cheaper rates in Mumbai city. This can prove to
be a best activity of building trust among the citizens. The repair and
reconstruction board of MHADA shares the pride of being only of its kind to
provide safety to the lives of the people residing in the most dangerous
buildings in the island city. Also the Slum improvement board of MHADA takes
care of slum dwellers by providing them basic amenities to improve their
standard of living.
A comment on
redevelopment of sector 5 Dharavi redevelopment Project, the most ambitious
project of the state government?
DRP is indeed the most ambitious project of the state Government. The Sector -5 of Dharavi, which stretches over 165 hectares, will soon wear a new face as the construction of 300 houses in sector V is near completion.
What is your vision for MHADA
going forward? Where do you see the state of Maharashtra in the next five years
as far as housing is concerned? DRP is indeed the most ambitious project of the state Government. The Sector -5 of Dharavi, which stretches over 165 hectares, will soon wear a new face as the construction of 300 houses in sector V is near completion.
There is a vast disparity between demand and supply of the housing stock in the state. The state is exploring all the possibilities to minimize the gap between and demand and supply of the housing stock. In this direction MHADA has prepared a Master Plan for the next five years and it is expected to construct half a lakh housing stock during the period. We wish to make MHADA one of the most active housing authorities on the nation’s map.
.JPG)
Our goal is to make MHADA India's biggest housing
provider :
Satish Gavai
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
How have aspects
like greater transparency and quicker response been reinforced within MHADA?
You have to introduce systematic changes, focus on aspects like records maintenance, change laws to make recourse easier to the public. Changes by ones predecessor have to be taken forward.
You have to introduce systematic changes, focus on aspects like records maintenance, change laws to make recourse easier to the public. Changes by ones predecessor have to be taken forward.
How do you see the
recent amendments and policy changes having an impact?
With the recent amendments, MHADA will be able to fulfil its objective of providing affordable housing stock. Previously, nothing was getting done. New housing stock in mill redevelopment projects was being sold at market rates, which is unaffordable for the common man. The chief minister was clear that the stance we had adopted was right. I assured in various forums, let us be very clear - we want only housing stock, nothing else. That is the biggest of the changes.
With the recent amendments, MHADA will be able to fulfil its objective of providing affordable housing stock. Previously, nothing was getting done. New housing stock in mill redevelopment projects was being sold at market rates, which is unaffordable for the common man. The chief minister was clear that the stance we had adopted was right. I assured in various forums, let us be very clear - we want only housing stock, nothing else. That is the biggest of the changes.
MHADA has voiced
its readiness to partner with private builders to ensure greater affordable
housing stock. What has been the progress in this regard?
The concept of joint ventures with private builders has yet to take off but it is very much under consideration; it can be a win-win for all. It is just a question of adequate FSI, we will have to be very careful with that when we do a joint venture. We will scrutinise the applicants and their applications very carefully. Our prior experience of joint ventures has not been so good, they have been very opaque.
The concept of joint ventures with private builders has yet to take off but it is very much under consideration; it can be a win-win for all. It is just a question of adequate FSI, we will have to be very careful with that when we do a joint venture. We will scrutinise the applicants and their applications very carefully. Our prior experience of joint ventures has not been so good, they have been very opaque.
MHADA offers
projects for all segments – LIG, MIG and HIG. How do you prioritise between
them?
Currently 60% of housing stock by MHADA is targeted for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG) and Middle Income Group (MIG). The benefits should be extended to Higher Income Group (HIG) housing as well, as per discussions with the secretary to CM and Principal Secretary. Even at the HIG level it is not possible for people in the city of Mumbai to buy a home at market rates. They are considering 3 FSI for HIG townships also.
Currently 60% of housing stock by MHADA is targeted for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG) and Middle Income Group (MIG). The benefits should be extended to Higher Income Group (HIG) housing as well, as per discussions with the secretary to CM and Principal Secretary. Even at the HIG level it is not possible for people in the city of Mumbai to buy a home at market rates. They are considering 3 FSI for HIG townships also.
How has the higher
visible transparency, conducting the lottery in public, made a difference in
terms of perception?
There is a lot of faith in MHADA these days. The entire MHADA lottery process and system has been computerised and it has been perceived as much more transparent since then. People come and attend the lottery and results announcements, which are done in full view of the public.
There is a lot of faith in MHADA these days. The entire MHADA lottery process and system has been computerised and it has been perceived as much more transparent since then. People come and attend the lottery and results announcements, which are done in full view of the public.
Our format has
become a role model for housing boards in other states now.
What has been the
progress on issues like the mill workers?
Regarding the mill workers, the process is nearing completion and the CM is looking at ways to resolve the issue.
Regarding the mill workers, the process is nearing completion and the CM is looking at ways to resolve the issue.
What have been the
recent initiatives for transparency in MHADA?
MHADA has launched MITRA, a single window system. This is an initiative for transparent and responsive administration.
MHADA has launched MITRA, a single window system. This is an initiative for transparent and responsive administration.
What are your plans
for MHADA going forward?
The goal is to make MHADA the biggest housing provider authority anywhere in the country.
The goal is to make MHADA the biggest housing provider authority anywhere in the country.
Wednesday 12 February 2014
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