MHADA to conduct biometric survey in its transit camps

In order to obtain complete data of occupants in transit camps, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has decided to conduct a biometric survey, an official from the MHADA said. Biometric identification authenticates secure entry, data or access via human biological information, such as face, fingerprints or retina scans. The official said, "The biometrics survey will help weed out ineligible occupants. Thereafter, proper action can be taken."

An insider from the MHADA said the decision to conduct biometric survey has been taken since the housing authority has several projects in the pipeline, like the Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawls and others. "If they have to speed up the project, then they have to provide alternative accommodation, which is only possible if they have sufficient transit houses in their kitty," said the source.

Besides this, the MHADA has also planned to earn revenue by renting out transit camps to other authorities like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Uday Samant, the chairman of MHADA, had said at a press conference, the authority was willing to provide temporary residences for the people of Mahul village, who are currently demanding better living conditions, claiming they have been given houses in a toxic area by the BMC and their health is being affected. Their protest was led by activist Medha Patkar on December 1, and a 10-day ultimatum was given to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Samant said, "We can provide 350 transit camp houses to Mahul families. We can reach an agreement with the BMC for the same. This decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds." However, insiders reveal, it is a way to earn revenue. "Transit houses will not be given for free, of course. An agreement with the BMC means in lieu of money," the source said.

A survey in 2010, had revealed that 8,448 transit tenements of the total 21,135 houses have been occupied by illegal encroachers. These tenements are housed in 56 transit camps in Mumbai, which are meant to accommodate people who lost their homes when buildings collapsed, or when their homes were declared dilapidated structures.

Since these illegal occupants also constitute vote banks, several politicians have, in the past, requested the state government to regularise them on humanitarian grounds. However, the proposal was rejected by the state law department in November 2017.