A major campaign to encourage housing societies across Mumbai to undertake self-redevelopment is expected to be launched soon, BJP MLA and Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank chairman Pravin Darekar said on Sunday.
Darekar was speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Anant Tapasya Cooperative Housing Society in Borivali West. He said self-redevelopment was gaining momentum in Mumbai and efforts were being made to help more societies independently manage their redevelopment projects.
1,600 proposals received
Darekar said housing and cooperation remained among his key areas of focus. After taking charge as chairman of the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank, he introduced a financing policy aimed at providing loans to housing societies undertaking self-redevelopment.
He said he had discussed the importance of the initiative with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following which the state government introduced 18 decisions aimed at supporting self-redevelopment.
“About 1,600 proposals have been received by us so far, while loans have been sanctioned to 46 societies. Nearly 21-22 buildings have been completed, enabling middle-class families to move into larger homes,” Darekar said.
He added that a delegation of IAS officers from Delhi had recently visited Mumbai to understand the state’s self-redevelopment framework. The delegation examined aspects such as construction procedures, financing arrangements and loan repayment mechanisms, he said.
According to Darekar, the visit could help assess whether Maharashtra’s model can be adapted and implemented in other parts of the country.
He also outlined several initiatives planned by the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank. A housing federation sub-centre is proposed at Aarey to serve residents in Mumbai’s suburbs, while construction of a 12-storey Sahakar Bhavan with modern facilities is underway at Sion.
Darekar said the bank would continue supporting initiatives aimed at Mumbai’s development and strengthening cooperative housing.
He also announced the forthcoming Namo Sahakar Taxi scheme, which he said would be designed to provide direct benefits to taxi drivers.
The proposed self-redevelopment campaign is expected to further promote society-led redevelopment and provide more housing societies with access to institutional financing and support.
Source: The Free Press Journal
