Options being explored to complete central govt’s flagship urban housing project
Thousands of families stare at uncertain future as the much hyped housing rehabilitation project in Kashimira gets stuck in limbo
More than a year after directions issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in June 2017, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has finally woken up from its slumber to explore options for the completion of its ill-fated Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) housing project under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY) central government’s flagship project mooting housing for all. A resolution to this effect will come for approval in the special general body meeting scheduled on 26, July. To enhance the living standards of the urban poor, the MBMC had identified two slum clusters, Janta Nagar and Kranti Nagar in Kashimira for implementing the housing project in 2009.
The central government gave its nod for constructing 4,136 housing units, with a carpet area of 279 sq ft per unit. The project has scripted history by missing multiple deadlines for the past more than 7 years.
At present just 179 slum dwellers have been rehabilitated, even as 129 flats are on the verge of completion. As per the funding pattern of the Rs 292 crore project (which later shot up by 75 crore), the center and state shared 50 and 30 per cent respectively with 9 per cent contribution from the MBMC and the remaining to be borne by the beneficiaries.
However thanks to the inordinate delays the central government has already reduced the number of units from 4,136 to 2,351.
Thus shattering hopes of 1,918 slum dwellers of getting their dream homes. Moreover the ambitious housing scheme for the urban poor could land in troubled waters as the government has pulled the financial plug, pushing other eligible beneficiaries to an uncertain future. It should be noted that the central government had initially planned to wind up the BSUP housing projects by March 2015.
But an extension was provided till March 2017. In accordance to the rules the MBMC was banking on the commercial area, which would have helped in recovering the project’s cost. However a proposal to this effect which had been mooted by the civic administration is still awaiting government nod, further adding to civic woes.