Hiranandani submits plan to build 3,000 low-cost homes

Mumbai: Six months after the Bombay HC restrained the Hiranandani group from starting any construction in its Powai project without its permission, the developer on Thursday informed the court that it had submitted a proposal to construct over 3,000 affordable houses. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar questioned activist and petitioner Medha Patkar who sought to see the proposals. "Why are you opposing the plans? It is for the benefit of the people," said the judges. 

    Following a PIL alleging largescale violations by Hiranandani in building sprawling flats instead of affordable houses in Powai, the HC had stopped the developer from carrying out further construction. With no relief from the Supreme Court, Hiranandani had to comply with the HC orders to first construct affordable houses. The court asked MMRDA and Hiranandani to submit a report on the total number of buildings constructed in Powai so far, along with details of the flats and vacant land in the area. 
    As per the HC roadmap, Hiranandani would have to construct 3,100 affordable homes—1,593 flats of around 861 sq ft and 1,511 flats of 430 sq ft. Around 450 flats from this lot will have to be offered to the state at a rate of Rs 135 psf, which the government can sell to its employees. After it has built lowcost homes, the builder can make further construction on the rest of the land. The HC was told that BMC and Hiranandani had submitted constructions plans to the MMRDA for its nod.