Housing federations move Maharashtra CM, deputy CM for redevelopment regulator

 Nov 14, 2022

​A representation to address this has been made to the chief minister and deputy CM last week, said chairman Ramesh Prabhu of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association.

PUNE: Housing federations and associations have demanded the setting up of a separate regulator for redevelopment, with many projects stuck in the state’s key metro cities.

A representation to address this has been made to the chief minister and deputy CM last week, said chairman Ramesh Prabhu of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association.

The cooperatives department had issued directions in 2019 on appointing developers for self-redevelopment. “But, there should be a separate clause to regulate and monitor redevelopment under a specially appointed regulator,” the latest representation stated, adding, “With many redevelopment disputes going to civil court, consumer court, and the High Court, there is a need to look into it and help boost such stalled projects in the state.”

Cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Pune have many old and dilapidated buildings that require urgent redevelopment. There are around 3,000-4,000 such societies in Pune alone. “While Development Control and Promotion Regulations as well as Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations in Maharashtra have provided some relief and incentives for redevelopment, it is not enough,” Prabhu told TOI.

The demand is to bring out a special authority like the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to monitor redevelopment, and to include provisions regarding appointment of the developer to address grievances of the members; some other issues have also been brought up, such as change of developer if the earlier one fails.

Associations have also demanded implementation of a self-redevelopment GR to help small societies appoint a builder themselves. “On many small plots, 10-20 flats are constructed. Developers do not come forward for such projects and so, self-redevelopment is the only option,” added another association member.

Nearly 60,000 units in the state are over 30 years old and vying for redevelopment. The Maharashtra State Housing Federation had sought a simplified redevelopment work process for such structures. Suhas Patwardhan, vice-president of the Federation, said they had been for long seeking an easier process for redevelopment, besides pushing for self-redevelopment. “Post-Diwali, a meeting was expected and we are awaiting the government’s response. Funding issues also need to be addressed,” he said.

The process to redevelop housing societies that are nearly 30 years old is tedious. A member of a housing society said, “If clearances and funding are approved, it will be helpful. Many societies, even if around 15 years old, develop cracks. One can think about their redevelopment if the process becomes easier.”