MSRDC proposes 16K affordable homes in villages along Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Anticipating the population would double in 71 villages along Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the next 10 years, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) proposed the construction of 16,735 affordable homes under the Prime Minister AwasYojana (PMAY) for the Economical Weaker Section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG). These houses would be constructed in the villages of Panvel and Raigad district. The MSRDC is the special planning authority (SPA) of the 71 villages measuring around 180-round-square-km. It has proposed the same in a Development Plan (DP) prepared for the villages to have planned growth and development. The DP was made open for public suggestions and objections on December 14, and shall be open for a period of one month. The MSRDC, in the DP called for suggestions and objections, stated: "As the underlying aim of the Development Plan for MSRDC SPA area is to develop a self-sustained city providing employment opportunities, the area will be expecting an inflow of population due to various economic opportunities. This will in turn result in increase in demand for housing units. It becomes important to take into consideration this demand, especially from economically weaker sections of the society and provide suitable housing options for them." Construction of homes under PMAY is also being proposed keeping in view the population growth to 11.48 lakh in 2014 from around 1.11 lakh, as per 2011 census. The total developable area within the jurisdiction of MSRDC SPA is 95.76 sq.km, which forms 51.28 per cent of the total MSRDC SPA area. Meanwhile, builders, who have projects in these villages have welcomed the move. Niranjan Hiranandani of Hiranandani Communities, said: "It is a welcome move and will go a long way in ensuring all-round and sustainable development. As property prices in Mumbai, Pune, and Navi Mumbai have been moving upwards, home seekers are moving further away and opting for homes in locations that offer homes at a price they can afford. The DP of MSRDC will ensure a well-planned and developed area for commercial and residential real estate development along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway." Residential zone is the largest zone forming about 41.05 per cent of the total developable area. Industrial zone occupies the next largest component of the total developable area with a share of 19.58 per cent, followed by the transportation zone at 17.20 per cent. Commercial, public, semi-public and recreational zone occupy 6.20 per cent, 5.53 per cent, and 5.24 per cent, respectively.