MHADA issues awareness circular on redevelopment of old cessed buildings in Mumbai

According to officials, redevelopment of these buildings has been an urgent concern for a long time, especially considering the high population density and structural weaknesses in South Mumbai.

As part of an overall awareness drive initiated by Sanjeev Jaiswal, CEO and vice-president, MHADA, circulars have been dispatched to the different housing societies, bringing to the fore the statutory framework that can be availed for redevelopment. The drive has followed a previous directive issued earlier this year to conduct structural inspections of 500 buildings. Structural audit reports have already come in for 540 of the 555 buildings covered so far, officials said.

“Preventive repair and redevelopment of structurally risky buildings on a timely basis will save lives and property and can avoid probable mishaps,” said Jaiswal, stating that the audit for all 13,091 buildings will be finished in one year.

According to the recently implemented ‘Section 79A of the MHADA Act’, the redevelopment has been simplified by having a distinct timeline. The landlords of such properties have to make a redevelopment proposal within six months, along with the irrevocable agreement of at least 51 per cent of the occupants or tenants.

If they do not, the cooperative housing society that has been established by the residents can make a proposal within the next six months. In case of non-action within these 12 months, MHADA can take over the property and undertake redevelopment on its own.

All concerned stakeholders, such as landlords, residents, and housing societies, have been encouraged by MHADA to avail themselves of floor space index (FSI) incentives under Development Control Regulations 33(7) and 33(9). Housing societies have also been requested to contact the concerned Executive Engineers for more details and guidance.