Sole building in Dharavi redevelopment project to be ready by April next year

The state has designated MHADA as the special planning authority for Sector 5 of Dharavi,which stretches over 65 hectares,of which 24 hectares is developable.

With the development plan of Dharavi yet to be finalised,MHADA had started the construction of this building,expected to accommodate 358 eligible slum dwellers. The move MHADA experts said was to get the work started and instill confidence among people.

While work orders for the building were issued to BG Shirke Construction Technology Pvt Ltd in October 2012,work could start only this year due to political protests.

“Once we shift the slum dwellers in the newly constructed building,we will raze the shanties and start the construction of the next building there,” the engineer said.

Overall,the state housing board will build 9,600 tenements to rehabilitate slum dwellers in Sector 5. The 18-floor C-shaped building will have 21 tenements on each floor connected by a long corridor.

The MHADA engineer said the flats have been constructed using relatively modern specifications.

The cost of construction thus works out to Rs 2,415 per sq ft,though the houses will be

allotted to eligible slum dwellers free-of-cost.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com