Fadnavis for cluster-based development of decrepit buildings

The Maharashtra government will come out with a new law to facilitate cluster-based development of dilapidated buildings in Mumbai, a move that comes in the wake of collapse of a residential structure here.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday issued directives to the housing department to formulate a comprehensive legislation in this regard.

Fadnavis gave the directives at a review meeting held a day after the collapse of an illegal building in south Mumbai's Dongri area left 14 people dead.

According an official statement, the chief minister asked the housing department to draw up a separate act to push cluster-based development of dilapidated buildings recognised as MHADA cessed structures in the metropolis.

Residents of buildings categorised as "cessed" are required to pay a levy to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for their upkeep. Buildings constructed mostly before 1969 which pay cess to the state-run housing agency fall under this category.

He also asked officials to initiate legal action against builders involved in illegal construction.

According to the statement, if there are more than one dilapidated building in a particular area, then redevelopment of all of them can be undertaken by treating them as a cluster and through a single real estate developer.

Fadnavis asked officials to undertake redevelopment of such buildings through MHADA.

Tenants of such structures should be accommodated in temporary homes or paid rent for two years till the new building is ready, it said.