Mumbai: Chetana Vanjare's family of eight just about manages to squeeze-in in the 200 square feet of space in their 80-year-old, dilapidated chawl.
But despite a double-figure income, Chetana’s plans of moving out to a better accommodation haven’t materilaised yet and may not shape up any time soon.
Given Mumbai's skyrocketing real estate prices, the graphic designer’s hopes now hinge on the state housing policy.
"Developers have asked us. But if the space they are offering is nothing big, why should only they benefit?" she asks.
Tabled in the Legislative Assembly, the draft housing policy holds up several promises like:
- Redevelopment for the city's old buildings and chawls by scrapping the Urban Land ceiling act and offering 400-500 sq ft tenements.
- Encouraging developers to construct "affordable houses" for middle class families through mandatory zones by promising them higher FSI.
- Attracting Foreign Direct Investment for special townships that will have floating FSI and lower stamp duty.
However, housing experts have their doubts.
“In places like Colaba, Cuffe Parade and Bandra, where rates are already over Rs 20,000 per sq ft, reservations are pointless in the absence of price regulation," says architect P K Das.
Chetana’s plight is echoed by lakhs of middle-class families in Mumbai. They are of the opinion that if they are offered anything less than 500 sq ft of space for redevelopment, potential developers should be shown the door.
The much-hyped policy will be implemented only after a year. But many fear that new housing policy has a hidden pro-developer agenda.
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