Motilal Nagar Redevelopment: MHADA Approves Socio-Economic Survey as Residents Continue Demand for 2,400 Sq Ft Homes

Motilal Nagar Redevelopment Update: MHADA Agrees to Conduct Socio-Economic Survey

MHADA has agreed to conduct a socio-economic survey of residents of the Motilal Nagar colony in Goregaon following a protest over housing size and other redevelopment demands.

The redevelopment of the Motilal Nagar MHADA colony in Goregaon has entered another important stage. After residents protested at the MHADA headquarters in Bandra, the Mumbai Board agreed to conduct a socio-economic survey of families living in the colony.

A delegation from the Motilal Nagar Development Committee met MHADA Vice Chairman Sanjeev Jaiswal and Mumbai Board Chief Officer Milind Borikar during the meeting. Residents presented their concerns and demands related to the redevelopment project.

According to committee secretary Nilesh Prabhu, Jaiswal accepted the demand for a socio-economic survey and assured the residents that the survey would be carried out.

Residents Demand 2,400 Sq Ft Homes

The main issue remains the size of the homes that residents will receive after redevelopment. Around 3,702 residents are expected to receive homes with a carpet area of 1,600 square feet under the current redevelopment plan.

However, residents have rejected the proposed 1,600-square-foot area. The Motilal Nagar Development Committee is demanding homes measuring 2,400 square feet, saying the larger area is justified based on their eligibility and the existing conditions of the colony.

The residents have also raised objections over the redevelopment model and have demanded that the project be carried out under Development Control Regulation 33(5).

State Government to Decide on 2,400 Sq Ft Demand

While MHADA has agreed to the socio-economic survey, the demand for 2,400-square-foot homes remains unresolved.

Sanjeev Jaiswal reportedly told the delegation that a decision on providing 2,400-square-foot homes can only be taken at the state government level. This means the residents may now approach the government to pursue their demand.

The committee has indicated that it will continue following up on the issue.

Residents Seek Three Homes for Larger Families

Another important issue concerns families where two or more siblings or separate families currently live in the same house.

MHADA had earlier decided to provide two homes of 800 square feet instead of one 1,600-square-foot home in such cases. However, residents said this arrangement may not work for larger families.

The committee has therefore proposed providing three homes of around 550 square feet each to eligible families. Jaiswal also responded positively to this proposal, with the final decision expected after the socio-economic survey.

Why Residents Are Questioning the 1,600 Sq Ft Area

The redevelopment is being carried out under an FSI of 4. MHADA has maintained that because the plot is larger than 4,000 square meters, the pro-rata formula does not apply in this case. Based on this position, MHADA considers 1,600 square feet to be an appropriate replacement area.

According to information cited by the committee from MHADA's affidavit, residents would receive 1,600 square feet in exchange for their original 236-square-foot homes.

Residents, however, have questioned how the area purchased from MHADA should be considered. The committee has raised concerns about approximately 45 square meters of additional area purchased by some residents from MHADA.

Residents May Approach High Court

With several questions still unresolved, the Motilal Nagar Development Committee is considering approaching the High Court again.

The immediate focus is now on the socio-economic survey, which could provide detailed information about the number of families, household structures and the needs of residents.

The survey may help MHADA assess the housing requirements of different families before taking further decisions on the redevelopment plan.

The agreement to conduct the survey has given residents an opportunity to present their concerns through official data. However, the larger demand for 2,400-square-foot homes remains an issue that will require a decision at the government level.