The build-up to a new Mumbai
http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2004/august/90972.htm
Every month, MHADA and BMC have been approving 30 buildings in south Mumbai, which can be redeveloped by private builders. So far a whopping 19,462 low-rise buildings, mostly chawls, have been identified for the construction projects. Gigil Varghese tells the story
South Mumbai’s skyline is set for a drastic makeover. Skyscrapers of 20 floors and more will soon be replacing low-rise chawls, synonymous with the city.
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have recently identified 19,462 buildings in the city that can be redeveloped by private builders.
According to redevelopment rules, builders can build 50 per cent more flats in the new projects and sell them at market rates. Since property rates in South Mumbai range between Rs 5,200 and Rs 10,500 per square feet, builders can make a killing on the sale of extra flats.
Builders are reportedly making a beeline for the projects. According to government sources, MHADA and BMC are reported to be issuing 30 approvals every month for such projects.
Areas that are being dotted with buildings with over 20 storeys are Girgaum, Gamdevi, Prabhadevi and Khetwadi. The old tenants are being accommodated around the property according to the area they previously lived in.
“Although there was a demand for flats in south Mumbai, supply was dead. Now, residents in suburbs who can afford to, can buy a flat in these new buildings,” said Sunil Mantri, secretary of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing and Infrastructure (MCHI).
A property developer, Harish Mehta, who is developing 11 properties in south Mumbai said that the pace at which the redevelopment is happening will stabilise the price of property in south Mumbai.
Though the redevelopment will bring in wider roads near the buildings, the redevelopment scheme has not been able to address water and other infrastructure-related problems for the residents.
The highs...
* Every flat will measure between 1,200-1,500 sq feet
* Multi-storeyed parking facility
* Wider roads near the buildings
* Health clubs
* Conference rooms
* Landscaped gardens
* High speed and more service lifts
... and the lows
* Water supply has not increased in proportion to the number of flats
* Old municipal sewage pipes have not been replaced
* The widening of roads has been uneven. While redeveloped buildings have left space for widening of roads, undeveloped properties next door mean that the roads do not have a consistent width
* Maintenance charges in the new buildings will be hefty
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New projects
Rushabh Apartments, Prarthana Samaj - Grnd+39
Shiv Tapi, Gamdevi - Grnd+27
Saarthi, Chowpatty - Stilt+20