MUMBAI: Tuesday Oct 8 will bring joy and relief to hundreds of Mumbaikars dreaming of owning a home as Mhada announces the results of its computerised housing lottery for 2,030 flats. No less than 1.3 lakh applicants are trying their luck this season.
Certain houses have evoked much interest, particularly those built by private builders for Mhada. In redevelopment buildings under Development Control Regulations 33 (5), the Nehru Nagar, Kurla project of 14 flats received 4,026 entries. An Oshiwara project with one single flat attracted 765 applications while in Siddharth Nagar, Goregaon, two flats drew 749 bidders. Two flats in Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli, attracted 620 aspirants.
Their carpet area ranges from 32 square metre (344 square feet) to 45 sq m (484 sq ft) — and over 650 sq ft in one scheme. The flat rates vary from Rs 32 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
Mumbai Mirror visited four apartments with highest demand — Saket Society in Siddharth Nagar Goregaon, Sandipani Shikshak in Oshiwara, Swanand Building in Nehru Nagar, Kurla, and Building 10 D in Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli.
The highest number of 765 applications was received for one flat in Oshiwara. This 32 sq m (344 sq ft) 1RK apartment is located on the sixth floor of Sandipani Shikshak (Shreedham Splendour) building. The compact no-frills flat has two rooms — a small bedroom and a larger hall with a kitchen platform at one end. A half-room beside the hall can serve as dining space. The bathroom-cum-toilet is fully tiled with western seating.
“The house is ideal for a small family, say, a young couple with a little child,” said a Mhada engineer. “The Metro Rail runs below the building, markets and schools are nearby.” The price of this LIG (low income group) flat is a competitive Rs 60 lakh.
However, there was a 4ft wide gaping hole in the false ceiling through which a constant trickle of water dripped into the hall, taking even Mhada engineers by surprise since the apartment had been opened 18 months after the developer handed it. “The lottery winner will receive possession once the necessary repair works have been completed to ensure the flat is in a suitable condition for occupancy,” said a Mhada official.
The Vikhroli flat was airy, spacious and well finished. Measuring approximately 450 sq ft, this apartment is priced Rs 51 lakh. In Saket, Goregaon, a Mhada flat of similar size is pegged at Rs 70 lakh.
Sanjeev Jaiswal, vice-president and CEO of Mhada, said, “The tenements are much cheaper than similar flats offered by private developers. In fact, even within the same building, developers have sold flats at higher prices. Mhada’s pricing ensures that these flats remain 20-30% lower than market rates. The high number of applications, up to 700-800 for certain flats, is because of this price difference apart from affordability, strategic location, availability of Metro stations, schools and other infrastructure.”
Since most flats are under the LIG category, Mhada’s focus is on “keeping prices low”. So while no luxury amenities are included, essential infrastructure like water, electricity, and basic parking is provided.
