NMMC gives nod to revamp 8 Cidco buildings

A LONG WAIT Committee approves applications of seven projects in Vashi and one in Nerul; 2,032 families will get bigger and safer houses

After years of waiting, residents of seven dilapidated Cidco-constructed buildings in Vashi and one in Nerul, have got the final go-ahead from the NMMC for the redevelopment of their buildings.

A total of 2,032 families of around 10,000 people living in these dangerous buildings will benefit from the move.

Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe held a meeting on Tuesday with the committee members and reportedly took them to task.

A source said, “Mundhe asked the committee not to delay people’s work over trivial issues and asked if they would take responsibility if any untoward incident took place. He then ordered that decision be taken on the applications immediately.”

The committee approved applications of seven projects in Vashi and one in Nerul. The projects can start after they get commencement certificate from NMMC.

The buildings in Vashi had been declared eligible for reconstruction in September last year, six months after the government issued a GR allowing 2.5 FSI for redevelopment in February 2015. This had raised hopes among residents. However, the final sanction was stuck with allegations of political interference, court issues and also the decision of the expert committee that was to take a call on the buildings being dangerous.

When Mundhe took over, there was renewed hope among the residents.

The NMMC has declared 187 housing societies and other constructions as illegal. The structures have not got permission for redevelopment even after a year since the GR was issued.

The government appointed expert committee that includes representative of NMMC, Kokan Bhavan, CIDCO, technical experts and headed by municipal commissioner has to give the redevelopment approval to the buildings before construction can start. All the proposals had been stuck for months.

Residents are happy over the decision and now they will get bigger and safer homes.

Chanda Patre, a resident, said: “We will now get bigger houses instead of the 350 sqft dilapidated flat we live in. The price of our flats will now soar as we will now live in modern towers with complete amenities.”

Another resident Rashida Jashani said: “We hope that we will soon get commencement certificate and the commissioner will speed up the rest of the process.”