Builders slam Cidco over Naina projects

Navi Mumbai developers have come out in the open to attack Cidco, alleging that the attitude of some officials is leading to projects in Naina region being stalled.

They have demanded that the chief minister have a relook at the NAINA project based on similar projects elsewhere in the country.

The Cidco-developers clash has been brewing off late in Navi Mumbai with both sides pointing figures at each other. While the developers are blaming CIDCO for non-clearance of projects in NAINA region, CIDCO has stated that the developers have not been fulfilling the requirements, going as far as naming the developers and their alleged violations.

Speaking at a press conference in Vashi on Wednesday, Ashok Chhajer, chairman and managing director of Arihant Superstructures Ltd, said, “Our main concern is that the main objective of government of Maharashtra to give affordable housing for all is disrespected by some of the officers of NAINA resulting into non-availability of housing stock free of cost in PPP models.”

Chhajer said, “There is a need for probe into the reasons for delay in granting permissions to developers to check if there is something more to it.”

He said, “We are requesting the chief minister to please look at Mihan project in Nagpur and other similar projects in Gujarat and Hyderabad before finalising the policy on NAINA. The small farmers will be destroyed in the present scenario.”

Rajesh Prajapati, managing director of Prajapati group, said: “CIDCO has itself stated that just 29 of the 251 applications received by it in NAINA region have been approved. It is a shame. The talk about documents not being in order does not make sense. We have been doing this business for years.”

BACHCHAN KUMAR Builders at the press conference on Wednesday.