MHADA yet to hand over keys to housing scheme winners

MUMBAI: The prolonged wait got just a little too long ��� thanks to 26/11 ��� for thousands of Mumbaikars who were dreaming to move into new houses. Last month, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) had organised a function where it wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to hand over the keys of new flats to the winners of its housing lottery scheme. However, 26/11 changed all that. The function was cancelled in the aftermath of the gory terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

But more than a month after the attacks, the winners have their possession letters ready, sans the possession. MHADA has still not handed over the flats to their respective owners. According to MHADA officials, small things such as water supply lines are yet to be completed. ���It takes time since many agencies are involved in it,��� an official said.

MHADA had announced the Malad-Malwani housing scheme for the economically-weaker sections. Out of the total of 1,210 units constructed, 870 units were to be allotted with a computerised lottery system in the first phase. The scheme offered 1BHK flats measuring 180 sq ft for allotment to a person with a gross family income not exceeding Rs 8,000 per month. The results of the draw was held in November.

Under its housing programmes to construct and make available houses at affordable rates to various income groups in the society, MHADA has so far built 27,991 tenements in Mumbai. Its Mass Housing projects has covered various income groups.