My Home-My Right: Maharashtra government approves new housing policy

CM Devendra Fadnavis chaired a cabinet meeting on new policy on Tuesday. PIC/X@CMOMaharashtra

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday unveiled a new housing policy - My Home, My Right. Under the policy, which was announced after a gap of 18 years, the state plans to have 35 lakh housing stock in the next five years. The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday gave its approval for the new housing policy draft 2025.

As per the statement issued by the chief minister's office (CMO), the new policy promises environmentally friendly, secure and sustainable homes for citizens, especially for the economically weaker section (EWS) and low- and middle-income groups (LIG and MIG). It includes a comprehensive programme ranging from slum rehabilitation to redevelopment, besides focusing on low-income groups and affordability.

Besides this, the state government has decided to conduct a comprehensive district-wise survey for the housing demand and come up with the housing information portal to monitor demand and supply. "The policy will have special measures for senior citizens, working women, students and industrial workers, artists, ex-servicemen and people with disabilities," release mentioned.

With an awareness of rental accommodation, especially for patients and their relatives, the state government has planned to build affordable rental housing near major hospitals. "Government will focus on constructing homes close to employment hubs, especially in industrial areas. In line with this concept, the policy proposes that out of the 20 per cent of land reserved for amenities in industrial areas, 10 to 30 per cent be exclusively earmarked for residential usage," Fadnavis mentioned.

Besides this, the policy also will be looking into expediting projects under the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA), and to achieve the goal, a state-level grievance redressal committee will be formed.

Waste to energy

In order to promote waste-to-energy in urban areas, the state government has decided to give 18 acres of land in Deonar to be leased to Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) for setting up a biomethanation-based compressed biogas (CBG) plant. As per the proposal approved by the state cabinet, it will give the parcel of land for a period of 25 years at a concessional annual fee of Rs 72,843.

Soon, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and MGL to develop a facility that will process organic waste using biomethanation technology to produce CBG. The move comes following the government of India's plan which aims to establish 500 biogas plants across the country, including 75 in the urban region.

If government officials are to be believed, the project will be implemented in two phases: in the first phase, the plant will be set up on eight acres and second on the remaining plot area. The entire operation cost will be on the plant operator, and BMC will not have to invest any funds for the project.