MHADA to Decide Fate of 11 Applicants in 20-Year-Old Transit Housing Dispute in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Neutral Committee of the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board, formed under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Vice President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal, will hold a hearing on February 27, 2025, for 11 applicants involved in a two-decade-old transit tenement allocation dispute.

The applicants, whose eligibility for transit tenements has remained under review for the past 20 years, have now been given a final opportunity to present their case. The MHADA administration has issued notices, directing them to attend the hearing with the required documentation as per board regulations.

Illegal Occupancy Crackdown and Protest Controversy

Previously, MHADA had taken action against illegal occupants in transit camps, evicting unauthorized residents. However, the 11 applicants currently under review have not been living in these transit tenements for the past two decades, raising concerns about their eligibility. Given the policy-related nature of the case, higher-level approvals were required, and the file had been sent to the Vice President for clearance.

Meanwhile, controversy erupted when a third-party woman, who is not an applicant, staged a protest at MHADA headquarters, demanding an immediate resolution. MHADA officials criticized this move, stating that the woman was not directly affected and was attempting to exert undue pressure on the administration.

MHADA Defends Administrative Process

Officials clarified that the matter was already under review at the highest level and that staging protests outside the Deputy Chief Officer’s office was inappropriate. The Vice President of MHADA regularly holds public grievance hearings, yet the complainant chose not to approach these official forums.

Three-Member Committee to Ensure Fair Hearing

In response, the MHADA Vice President and CEO have formed a three-member committee, led by the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Building Repair Board, to assess the applicants’ claims. The committee will review the documents submitted, determine eligibility, and submit a detailed report on the matter.

With the February 27 hearing approaching, the MHADA administration has assured that once the applicants’ eligibility is verified, a final decision regarding their transit tenement allocation will be made.