AFFORDABLE HSG Mhada will not need govt nod for land acquisition

Mumbai: The Mhada will henceforth be allowed advance possession of revenue land without having to obtain approval from the government. The state government plans to create land banks to facilitate affordable housing. 

    "Up to two hectares, the collector can allow advanced possession and up to five hectares, the divisional commissioner has been empowered to hand over land toMhada to create affordable housing," said Swadhin Kshatriya, additional chief secretary, revenue and forests. Mhada will have to pay cost of the land as per the ready reckoner rate. 
    Kshatriya said such possession is allowed for government departments but asMhada is a public undertaking; its request for land had to be processed by the government. "This direct transfer will reduce delay considerably," he said. 
    Mhada, if it wishes, can also purchase land from the market for developing affordable housing, said D Chakraborthy, principal secretary (housing), adding, "Recently, we had bid on behalf of Mhada for a piece of land belonging to Hindustan Antibiotics in Pimpri-Chinchwad. We bought the land." 
    These schemes are, however, not applicable to Mumbai, where land cost is prohibitive.