MHADA to release 15 crore documents, launches citizen services to enhance transparency

MHADA inaugurated its CFC and VMS on Monday in an attempt to ease its affairs for the public. The new CFC includes 18 counters, digital kiosks, AI-based help and 24×7 CCTV surveillance for hassle-free, transparent, and citizen-centric governance. It has automated processes, real-time notifications, and totally digitised, secure services.

The new VMS provides facial recognition-based secure entry, real-time tracking of visitors, and convenient access, while the Office Locator facilitates touchscreen wayfinding, multi-language support, and emergency route displays for seamless mobility in the building.

Jaiswal also highlighted MHADA’s resolve to increased transparency and better delivery of services. “Being a public body, it is our duty to serve citizens in an efficient manner. We are constantly endeavouring to make interactions simpler and MHADA more transparent and accessible,” he added.

To facilitate this digital thrust, MHADA has also improved grievance redressal processes by encouraging online complaint systems and holding frequent public grievance meetings, or janata darbars. Special staff members have been posted to serve rural or underprivileged citizens who may not be digitally connected.

An outside agency has been hired to gather citizens’ opinion department-wise to assist MHADA in bringing its services in line with the expectations of citizens. The measures are part of a 100-day action plan led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde, aimed at ‘ease of living’ and enhancing public-facing services.

Giving an update on important housing projects, Jaiswal said there will be a large key distribution ceremony for the beneficiaries on May 15 at Worli BDD Chawl redevelopment. He further said that the eligibility process of over one lakh mill workers for the Girni Kamgar home scheme has been completed.

MHADA is looking to complete 6.5 lakh houses in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, specifically in affordable housing pockets. Motilal Nagar, GTB Nagar, Sindhi Society, and PMGP Jogeshwari projects are taking shape, helped by 3 FSI offers. Cluster redevelopment schemes in Prabhadevi are also progressing.

MHADA’s Konkan Board has also completed 3,000 houses, sold 7,000, and plans to ready another 7,000 homes over the next two years. The authority is also planning rental housing projects for senior citizens, women, and students, alongside the construction of 42,000 rehabilitation homes. It envisions to align with the government’s goal of making MMR a growth hub by 2030, by providing 8 lakh houses solely under MHADA.