'˜Flats need to be affordable'

About 1 lakh houses have been already built by Cidco in the last two-three decades and they are being occupied by people. Keeping in mind the spontaneous response to the housing project, two housing schemes to facilitate affordable dwellings to the people of middle-income-group were launched in 2008.

However, Cidco needs to modify rates for their mass housing schemes in and around Navi Mumbai. Even the Khargar projects people thought that the rates were comparatively very high comparing to their Millennium Towers Project in Sanpada. The Ulwe project supposed to take shape soon will also have the price tag problem.

The middle and the lower middle class people should get the benefit and hence the rates are to be the lowest under mass housing schemes. Instead, the rates appear to be very high and people think twice before going for the mass housing schemes.

After all the rich go only for the big projects while the middle-income group have no stake in such schemes. Cidco should keep in mind to check the price with greater flexibility and offer more mass housing schemes above lower middle class people.
C K Subramaniam, sanpada

Definitely, the Cidco should lower the rates of their flats. When devised, it was the middle and the lower middle class that were supposed to be the actual beneficiaries of these flats. Ideally the rates were to be low so that these buyers could benefit. The Cidco should rework on its rates for its forthcoming project including the one at Ulwe accordingly.
Sanjay G, via email

Sources: The Times of Navi Mumba