MHADA to construct 3,800 houses in Nashik

NASHIK: The Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (Mhada) is planning to construct around 3,800 houses in the city over the next few years to meet the needs of the people from economically weaker sections and lower as well as middle income groups.
Mhada has already identified certain pockets in the city for the purpose. At the same time, Mhada’s Nashik office has also sent proposals to the district administration to get land admeasuring 4.44 hectares spread over 28 locations.Mhada officials have sent proposals for getting vacant government plots at Mhasrool, Pathardi, Panchak, Dasak, Eklahara, Satpur, Chunchale, Deolali and Adgaon.
According to the officials, the government had lands under the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Act in different parts of the city, which could not be used for industrial purpose or tourism. Now, Mhada officials are following up with the administrative office to get the lands concerned.
Officials said there were many technicalities involved in purchasing private lands. While Mhada has been purchasing such plots wherever possible, the ones under the ULC Act could be more useful as they are lying unutilised for years.
On the response to the housing project, officials said the situation in the city was not like Mumbai. The people in Nashik still prefer row houses or bungalows over apartments. Moreover, the response to the project depends on the location of houses.
Sangita Narke, chief officer of the Nashik Housing and Area Development Authority, said there are certain pockets in the city where homes are always in huge demand. “On the other hand, the people are a bit hesitant about certain locations. Houses in the areas such as Satpur, Sawarkarnagar or around the Central Bus Stand (CBS) would always be sold instantly,” Narke said.
However, she said Mhada ensured that the quality of houses was top class and its buildings adhered to all the government norms. The authorities place advertisements regularly in the newspapers about the available houses.
At present, Nashik Mhada has houses available at Adgaon, Pathardi, Makhmalabad, Mhasrool and Panchak. Any Indian citizen above 18 years of age is eligible for purchasing a Mhada house, officials said.