No luck after queueing up for forms

Getting an affordable house in Mumbai is a dream that a million eyes see each night. However, fulfilling that dream is an uphill task for many. No wonder, the affordable MHADA housing complexes are such sought after projects in the city. MiD DAY tracked the journey of hopeful Mumbaikars who stood in line to lay their hands on the application form.



While some stood in line fromu00a0as early as midnight, several u00a0others took a day off from work to try their luck.

Believe in the best
Prathamesh Phatak (23), a student from Mira Road, feels that the MHADA houses are affordable and the scope of being cheated is minimal. "We live on rent, and need a house of our own. We cannot u00a0afford to buy from a builder, as they do not deliver on time. Whereas MHADA is a government body and will deliver whatu00a0 they promise."u00a0
Arrived at 9.30 am, and was successful in buying the form

Oye luckyu00a0
Nikhil Kajrolkar (23), a Parel resident, took the day off from work to try his luck at MHADA's lottery system of flat allotment. "Many years ago, my parents had applied for a MHADA house, and were also allotted one. But we lost it as we failed to provide a caste certificate. Getting this house is pure luck, and this time I am here to try my luck," he said. Kajrolkar, a railway clerk, who regularly travels from Mumbai to Pune on work.
Arrived at 9.30 am, and was successful in buying the form

There's always hope
Vallabh Das (70), a retired sales executive, could not make sense of the chaos at the counter. He would have to return earlier in the day tomorrow to queue up. "My only son has relocated to Delhi with his family. We have received a notice to evacuate the house, where I have been living for the last 50 years. So I am trying to get a MHADA house, though the chances are rather slim," said Das.u00a0
Arrived at 1 pm, and could not buy a form

So close, yet so far
Reshma Nevrekar (40), a widow and resident of Kalachowki, said, "I was standing in line since 9am, but by the time I reached the window it had closed for the day." Nevrekar, who is a labour contractor with the BMC, lives in a 10x10 house with her four daughters. "I will again have to take a dayu00a0 off to line up for the form," she said.u00a0
Arrived at 9 am, but could not buy a form


5 lakh
Number of forms printed by MHADA. It's planning to print some more.

Rs 100
Cost of the MHADA form