The Maharashtra government set up housing authorities MHADA and CIDCO with a view to provide affordable housing to the common man, at a time when even affording a shanty in Mumbai or its nearby suburbs has become a distant dream. However, like most government policies, even these two organisations are falling short in fulfilling their purpose. MHADA is selling homes at almost the market rate and now, new entrant CIDCO is following suit.

Both bodies, that allegedly provide affordable homes, are ignoring the fact that the common man relies on them for housing as they expect their prices to be lower than the market rate. However, the rates aren’t anywhere near to being affordable. Take, for instance, the MHADA projects in Powai, where flats were being sold a little above R15,000 per square foot, the existing market rate. Similarly, CIDCO, too, is now selling flats in Taloja, at prices that compare with the existing property rates in that area.