Self-redevelopment could significantly reshape housing development in Mira-Bhayandar by giving housing societies greater control over the process, Maharashtra Housing Self-Redevelopment Authority chairman and BJP group leader MLA Pravin Darekar said at a guidance camp held in the region.
The initiative was organised at the behest of MLA Narendra Mehta to encourage housing societies to consider self-redevelopment as an alternative to projects undertaken by private developers. Darekar said the model could offer residents greater involvement in decisions concerning the redevelopment of their buildings and provide a possible solution to projects that remain stalled under conventional developer-led arrangements.
Mayor Dimple Mehta, Deputy Mayor Dhruvkishor Patil, district president Dilip Jain, Town Planning Department Assistant Director Purushottam Shinde, Upper Tehsildar Nilesh Gaud and senior Mumbai Bank officer Krishna Phote were among those present at the programme.
Policy and Financial Support
Darekar said efforts were underway to simplify financing and approvals for societies choosing self-redevelopment. At his initiative, the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank has introduced a loan policy aimed at supporting housing societies undertaking such projects.
He also said the state government had accepted 18 key demands related to self-redevelopment and subsequently issued government resolutions (GRs) to implement the measures.
According to Darekar, 21 buildings in Mumbai have already been completed through self-redevelopment, with projects taking approximately 2.5 to three years. He stressed that the model allows the housing society to retain ownership of the project, giving its members greater authority over the appointment of architects, selection of designs and engagement of contractors.
The state government is also working towards making ₹10,000 crore available through state cooperative banks for self-redevelopment projects. An additional ₹1,000 crore provision is proposed through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
Darekar further said a proposal seeking a ₹25,000 crore action plan had been submitted to the Chief Minister. He urged MLA Narendra Mehta to take the initiative forward by selecting five buildings in Mira-Bhayandar for pilot self-redevelopment projects.
The proposal is aimed at demonstrating how the model could work at the local level before being expanded to more housing societies.
Push for Local Housing Renewal
Darekar said self-redevelopment could give residents a stronger role in determining how their properties are rebuilt while reducing dependence on private developers. The model, he suggested, could also help societies exercise greater control over project execution and timelines.
During the event, Darekar also said he had shared a photograph of the gathering with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said the Chief Minister responded with “Okay”, which Darekar interpreted as support for taking the initiative forward and doing everything required for residents of Mira-Bhayandar.
With financial assistance, cooperative-bank lending and policy changes being developed, the initiative could provide housing societies in Mira-Bhayandar with another route to redevelop ageing buildings while retaining greater control over the process.
Source: The Free Press Journal
