New government housing scheme announced for Mumbaikars

Mumbai, April. Apr 27 (IANS) The state government's apex housing body, Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (MHADA), Saturday announced a new lottery to sell 1,259 houses.

Of these, 664 will be reserved for various categories, leaving only around 615, or nearly 49 percent, open to the general public to try their luck.

For the first time, a majority of the flats will be sold at rates in excess of Rs.40 lakh in the high and middle income group categories at some prime locations in the eastern and western suburbs.

The cheapest and smallest flat under the economically weaker section will be available at the Turbhe, Mandale and Mankhurd suburbs in eastern Mumbai. The 180 square foot flat will priced at around Rs.650,000 - a little over Rs.3,600 per square foot.

A 476 square feet flat at Tungwa, in the upmarket Powai area, will be available for Rs.75 lakh, at Rs.15,770 per square feet.

A maximum of 492 flats are available for sale at this rate, making it the most expensive component of the scheme.

Sixty-two of the largest flats - each ameasuring 741 square feet - will be available at Gorai, Borivli West, for Rs.66 lakh each.

In contrast to the rates, the MHADA has stipulated that the eligible applicants under the EWS must have a maximum monthly income of up to Rs.8,000, LIG up to Rs.20,000, MIG up to Rs.40,000 and HIG Rs.40,000-plus.

The scheme has been opened for flats in Dahisar, Borivli, Kandivli, Malad (western suburbs) and Powai, Sion, Mankhurd, Mandale, Turbhe and Kurla (all eastern suburbs).

However, MHADA said that barely around 325 flats, mostly under the EWS and LIG categories, have been constructed while the remaining are still under construction.

MHADA will start accepting, both online and hard copies of applications from May 1 to May 21 and the lucky draws are expected to be held May 31.