Urgent Proposal Needed for Adequate Housing for Police in Mumbai

Big Relief for Shopkeepers and Senior Citizens in BDD Chawl Redevelopment

Mumbai : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized the urgent need to address the housing shortage for police officers in Mumbai. He directed that MHADA, CIDCO, MMRDA, and the Urban Development Department collaborate to provide service flats for the police in Mumbai and its surrounding areas on a priority and time-bound basis. He also called for immediate action to resolve the housing issues of the Worli police colony within eight days.

A meeting at the Chief Minister’s Varsha residence included Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray and residents of the police colony.

Action on Allotment of Service Flats to Police

Currently, 18,000 government service flats are available in Mumbai, whereas the total number of police officers and employees is 52,000. Joint Commissioner of Police Jayakumar noted that only 25 percent of police employees have flats, which is inadequate. Chief Minister Shinde directed that efforts be made to allocate flats to police personnel in ongoing housing schemes, possibly by reserving flats or providing incentive FSI in redevelopment projects.

Proposal for Penal Charges

Retired employees of the Worli Police Colony raised concerns about the high fines imposed after the permissible period, which is set at Rs 150 per sq ft. The Chief Minister directed that a proposal regarding the penalty fee be sent to the government within eight days and instructed not to evict compassionate employees from the flats.

Relief for Shopkeepers in BDD Chawl

Shopkeepers affected by the BDD chawl rehabilitation demanded more space in the redeveloped area. The Chief Minister asked them to propose a new design for the buildings to provide more space and instructed MHADA CEO Milind Borikar to prioritize senior citizens in the new buildings.

Strict Action Against SRA Developers

Residents of slum rehabilitation projects in Worli raised complaints about developers not paying rent arrears, failing to give possession, and lacking basic amenities like electricity and lifts. The Chief Minister directed strict action against non-compliant developers, including stopping the sale of flats in open SRA buildings, and instructed Mahendra Kalyankar to ensure necessary facilities and repairs.

Speed Up PM Awas in Jalgaon

Jayaprakash Baviskar highlighted delays in the Pradhan Mantri Awas scheme in Bodwad, Jalgaon district. The Chief Minister directed Additional Chief Secretary of Housing Valsa Nair Singh to take immediate action to remove obstacles and expedite the scheme’s implementation.

Direct Call to Railway DRM

MLA Raju Patil pointed out traffic congestion issues on the Kalyan to Shil road due to pending railway approvals for bridges. The Chief Minister instructed Central Railway’s Divisional Railway Manager Rajnish Kumar Goyal to grant immediate permission and directed MSRDA manager Anil Gaikwad to consider constructing alternative roads to alleviate congestion. He also directed immediate compensation for landowners on the Kalyan Shil Fata route.

Update on Kalu Dam

The Chief Minister inquired about the status of the Kalu Dam, and Deepak Kapoor, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, informed that approval is expected within one to two months. Upon completion, the dam will significantly improve water supply to the Kalyan Dombivli area.

MNS functionaries, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Brijesh Singh and other senior officials were present in this meeting.