MHADA aims to construct 8 lakh affordable homes in 5 years, focus on mill workers and Dabbawalas

Thane: The Mhada has set a target of constructing eight lakh homes in the next five years and will focus on affordable and rental housing schemes for all segments, including mill workers and dabbawallas, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday. Shinde was speaking at a Mhada-sponsored event to announce winners of over 2,100 flats and 117 plots through the advanced lottery system in Thane.
"We received over 31,000 applications for over 2,100 flats and 117 plots in the Konkan region, which reflects the trust of the common man in us... We are keen on modifying the state housing policy to ensure mill workers and dabbawallas, who are the real heroes of Mumbai, can participate in the Mhada schemes. Likewise, we are emphasising transparency in the selection and disbursal process and have also directed participating developers to ensure they don't compromise on construction quality," Shinde said.
Speaking about scores of stalled redevelopment projects in the Mumbai metropolitan region, Shinde said state agencies, including cash-rich ones like the SRA, Mhada, MMRDA, Cidco, BMC, among others, have been encouraged to take over such stalled projects in the region and ensure they are completed.
"Lakhs of Mumbaikars whose old dilapidated homes went for redevelopment and the projects got stalled midway have now been forced to migrate to far corners of the suburbs, including Thane, while awaiting their new homes. We will ensure these stalled works get traction and the displaced Mumbaikars are welcomed back in the metropolis soon. The housing ministry and urban development portfolio is with me, and we will pull out all the stops to formulate and modify policies for the benefit of the common man," Shinde said.
Meanwhile, Mhada vice-chairman Sanjeev Jaiswal said the authority was already matching pace with the demand from residents and said they held 15 Mhada flat distribution events in the last 1.5 years alone, bringing down the frequency from the earlier once in two years to just three months now.