Sources claim permission issues from the Urban Development Department to construct high-rises in Virar has played spoilsport in MHADA’s plans to construct 22 and 24 storey towers
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The New Year has not started on a good note for those lookingto buy affordable homes built by Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA). Sources claimed that after deferring the date to sell 2,450 homes in Virar in December to February via lottery system, MHADA has now reduced the number of housing units by 950.
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The sale of remaining 1,500 housing units is supposed to be executed by MHADA’s Konkan board. The housing body had to alter its plan of constructing 22 and 24 storey towers, as it was unable to secure permission from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) to construct high-rises.
The VVMC has a height restriction that caps buildings at 24 metres (ground plus seven storeys). Using the commissioner’s discretionary power, the permissible height can be increased to 45 metres (ground plus 14 storeys). But MHADA requires a sanction of 70 metres, leaving it short of 10 floors.
MiD DAY had earlier reported (‘Will MHADA be able to build Skyscrapers in Virar,’ September 11, 2013) about how MHADA’s dream of building skyscrapers in Virar is going to be an uphilltask.
MHADA authorities, which are trying hard to secure permissions from the government to build that high, claimed that they have got a verbal assurance from the Urban Development Department.
“We have got the permission to raise the height of the buildings in Virar, but we are waiting for it in writing, which will then be handed over to the VVMC. But for the time being, MHADA officials in one of the meetings decided that they will get as many homes as possible for the upcoming lottery,” said a MHADA official.
Bhausaheb Dangle, chief officer of MHADA’s Konkan board, said, “Neither have the number of homes been decided, nor has the date for lottery been fixed.”
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