The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has floated a tender for the construction of 3,084 affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) at Betwade in the Diva area, reviving a project that had remained stalled for several years.
The housing scheme, estimated to cost Rs 750.13 crore, will be developed on two plots under TMC’s Housing for All-2022 initiative. Of the proposed homes, 2,480 will be constructed on Survey No. 78, while another 604 units are planned on Survey No. 15/1.
The project was initially proposed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Under that arrangement, 1,441 homes were planned for economically weaker sections, including 1,253 units to be allotted to eligible beneficiaries at subsidised rates and 188 units earmarked for project-affected people.
However, the civic body failed to attract an adequate response from construction companies despite inviting tenders and subsequently modifying the terms. Following repeated difficulties in taking the PPP model forward, the proposal was withdrawn and the corporation decided to implement the project independently.
The scheme will now be executed through an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. Under this arrangement, the appointed contractor will be responsible for activities ranging from project execution and procurement of materials to construction, while TMC will finance and oversee the development.
The shift from PPP to EPC is also expected to allow greater utilisation of the available land for housing, potentially enabling the corporation to provide more homes than under the earlier proposal.
TMC has invited online bids for the project, with the tender process beginning on September 30. Contractors can submit bids until 4 pm on October 21, 2026. A pre-tender meeting is scheduled for October 8, while tenders are expected to be opened on October 23, subject to the process proceeding as planned.
Once the contractor is appointed, construction can begin at the site.
The homes will be allotted to eligible economically weaker section beneficiaries according to PMAY guidelines. Eligibility will include criteria such as the prescribed annual household income limit and the absence of a permanent house in the family’s name anywhere in India. Beneficiaries may also receive applicable financial assistance from the Central and state governments.
The Betwade project is expected to expand the supply of affordable housing in Diva and provide housing opportunities for eligible lower-income families in the area.
Source: Loksatta
