The Agreement For Redevelopment Under MHADA Is To Be Tripartite

All redevelopment agreements in the Mhada layout will now have to be tripartite agreements. It will include housing societies, developers, and Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA). Until now such agreements were signed with the residents of the society and the developer. Mhada, as the zamindar, issued the NOC for redevelopment only.

The state’s housing department issued a GR on the change on 16th March 2021. MHADA has 56 layouts in Mumbai, and from 2018 there are plans for complete authorization for the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings. The redevelopment of MHADA buildings is regulated by Regulation 33 (5) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations, 2034.

MHADA mainly constructs residential buildings for economically weaker, low-income, and middle-income groups that are allocated to citizens on a lottery basis. The land is leased to the Co-operative Housing Society set by the residents. Since many buildings are old and dilapidated, many housing societies went for redevelopment. But in many cases, the redevelopment has been stuck for years, leaving many families homeless and financially stressed.

“Since MHADA only issues NOCs, in case of breach of the terms of the agreement, it can do nothing to help in the redevelopment. Not only have redevelopment projects been stuck for years, but even rent payment issues also cannot be resolved. Therefore, trilateral agreements will now be mandatory” the GR said.

Members of the Indian Institute of Architects (Mumbai Center) called it unneeded government interruption. “Most projects are stuck due to poor government policies, which are not well prepared, are open to all kinds of perceptions, and keep changing. The government needs to fix its policies, this means that it ensures that the policies are clear.