A large-scale protest erupted in Vashi as hundreds of CIDCO housing lottery applicants formed a human chain, demanding a reduction in housing prices. The agitation, led by the Navi Mumbai unit of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), was sparked by CIDCO’s allegedly overpriced homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which remain unaffordable for common citizens.
The demonstration began at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Vashi, where protesters held placards with slogans like “Lower CIDCO’s home prices” and “Our dream home should be affordable, not just a fantasy.” Despite the scorching heat, thousands participated in the protest, expressing their frustration with CIDCO’s pricing policies.
Protesters claimed that while CIDCO initially received 1.52 lakh applications for the housing lottery, the high prices caused this number to drop to just 22,000, with nearly 7,000 applicants allegedly forced to accept homes. They also accused CIDCO of misleading buyers by advertising 322 sq. ft. homes but delivering only 290 sq. ft. units. Additionally, they questioned why CIDCO spent ₹700 crore on marketing instead of using those funds to lower housing costs.
Highlighting pricing discrepancies, demonstrators pointed out that while MHADA offers 500 sq. ft. homes in Kurla for ₹50 lakh, CIDCO is charging ₹80 lakh for 300 sq. ft. homes in Navi Mumbai. They also reminded authorities that before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, CIDCO chairman Sanjay Shirsat had promised a 20–25% price reduction, a commitment that remains unfulfilled.
As the protest intensified, demonstrators demanded that CIDCO halt payment collections until prices are revised. Gajanan Kale, spokesperson and president of MNS’s Navi Mumbai unit, announced plans to send postcards to CIDCO officials and warned that if no action is taken, applicants will launch a "Jail Bharo" movement. He further stated that if CIDCO fails to address their concerns, MNS will escalate the agitation with an "Injection Morcha" at CIDCO Bhavan.