September 10, 2025: The Maharashtra government has announced plans to redevelop ageing Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) buildings in Pune, many of which are in a deteriorating condition.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar chaired a meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday to review several ongoing MHADA projects. Pune MHADA president Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil was also present.
Pawar stressed the urgent need to assess the structural state of all MHADA buildings in Pune and investigate why many remain unreconstructed despite their dilapidated state. He emphasised that redevelopment plans must be drawn with attention to proper layouts, roads and open spaces to ensure planned and sustainable housing.
He further highlighted that the redevelopment should align with the Central government’s flagship scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which is aimed at providing affordable housing. “The benefits of the scheme must reach the citizens,” Pawar said, underscoring the importance of linking redevelopment with welfare measures.
According to initial estimates, Pune has around 52,000 MHADA units, many of which are located in Yerawada, Kharadi, Salisbury Park and Maharshinagar. Large numbers of these buildings, constructed decades ago, are now in need of urgent structural renewal.
Officials noted that while some redevelopment proposals have been considered in the past, progress has been slow, leaving thousands of residents in outdated housing. The state government’s fresh push is expected to speed up the process, providing safer and more modern homes for families currently living in precarious conditions.
The move comes at a time when Pune’s demand for affordable housing continues to grow rapidly, driven by urban expansion and population pressure. Redeveloping existing MHADA stock, officials believe, could ease this pressure while ensuring residents are not forced out of established neighbourhoods.
Source: Hindustan Times
