BMC Completes Citywide Housing Lottery, Allots Majority of 426 Homes

Mumbai, December 13:

After weeks of anticipation and a brief delay, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully conducted a housing lottery for hundreds of homes across Mumbai. The draw, held at the civic body’s headquarters on Saturday, resulted in the allotment of 373 residential units, while 53 flats remain vacant due to limited applicant participation.

The housing lottery covered a total of 426 homes spread across several suburbs and central locations in the city. Civic officials said the draw marked an important step in the BMC’s effort to directly manage affordable housing allocation, a responsibility that was earlier handled through state housing agencies.

Limited Applications Impact Full Allotment

Despite the scale of the housing scheme, the response from applicants was relatively subdued. The BMC received just over 2,000 applications for the available flats, a figure that officials described as lower than expected. As a result, not all homes could be allotted during the lottery process.

Out of the total homes offered, 373 were successfully assigned to eligible applicants, while 362 individuals were placed on a waiting list. The waiting list mirrors the number of allotted units and will be used if any selected applicant chooses not to proceed with the purchase.

A senior civic official explained that if an allotment is declined, the flat will be offered to the next eligible applicant on the waiting list. However, if applicants on the waiting list also refuse, the home will continue to remain unoccupied. The civic body is expected to announce a separate plan soon regarding the 53 homes that did not receive any applications.

Delays Due to Technical Issues

The lottery process had initially been scheduled earlier but faced unexpected delays. Officials said technical problems during the preparation of the eligibility list led to the postponement of the draw. After resolving system-related issues and conducting trial runs, the BMC proceeded with the lottery without further disruption.

The final list of winners was generated through a computerized draw, ensuring transparency in the allotment process. Civic authorities said this was the first time the BMC conducted such a housing lottery independently.

Allotment Letters and Verification

Successful applicants will receive their allotment letters within the next week. The BMC will also contact winners via email to begin the document verification process. Information regarding selected applicants and those on the waiting list will be published on the official BMC website and displayed at the civic headquarters for public reference.

Officials emphasized that allotments will be finalized only after verification of documents, and failure to meet eligibility criteria could result in cancellation.

Separate Lottery for Persons With Disabilities

Alongside the housing draw, the BMC’s market department also conducted an online lottery for stalls and permits in civic markets under the reserved quota for persons with disabilities. A total of 43 beneficiaries were selected, along with an equal number of candidates placed on a waiting list.

Market-wise allotment will be finalized after verification, and detailed information will be shared on the civic body’s website, officials said.

Background of the Housing Stock

The flats offered under the scheme were acquired by the BMC through provisions under the city’s Development Control and Promotion Regulations. These rules require developers of large land parcels to hand over a portion of constructed space for affordable housing. Additional units were obtained through incentives encouraging private developers to participate in housing projects for lower-income groups.

Pricing and Locations

The flats are priced between ₹55 lakh and ₹1 crore and are located in areas such as Kandivali, Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, and Byculla. Most of the units are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections, with a smaller portion allocated to the Low-Income Group category. The homes range in size from compact one-room units to slightly larger configurations.

The BMC estimates that the sale of these homes could generate significant revenue for civic infrastructure projects across the city.