The opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday called for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to be designated as the competent authority for identifying Pagdi buildings as dilapidated and dangerous, arguing that the move is crucial to accelerating redevelopment and safeguarding residents.
Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, opposition members highlighted that nearly four lakh households living in ageing Pagdi buildings could face displacement and safety risks if redevelopment-related hurdles are not addressed promptly.
The opposition demanded that the state government issue a notification granting MHADA the authority to declare such structures unsafe. According to members, this step would help satisfy legal requirements and facilitate redevelopment projects currently facing obstacles.
Responding to the demand, Minister Shambhuraje Desai said the government would seek the opinion of the Advocate General on whether such a notification could be issued.
Opposition members also pointed to concerns over court-ordered evictions and stressed the need for a policy solution. Desai said the government remains focused on expediting redevelopment. He explained that Section 79-A provides three avenues for redevelopment—through property owners, tenant associations and the government.
However, he noted that the Bombay High Court had stayed the redevelopment process after certain landowners challenged the provision. Desai informed the House that the state government, through MHADA, has approached the Supreme Court against the stay order and that the matter is scheduled for hearing on July 20.
He added that while ensuring the functioning of the committee of retired judges appointed by the High Court remains unaffected, the government would examine the legal implications of designating MHADA as the competent authority.
Desai also announced that a joint meeting involving officials from the law and judiciary department, MHADA and other concerned agencies would be held before the conclusion of the ongoing legislative session.
During the discussion, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC said he had conducted several meetings with the Pagdi Ekta Sangh, while MLC Prasad Lad sought details on the number of buildings already declared dilapidated.
Source: The Times of India
