Pravin Darekar Seeks Self-Redevelopment Policy Revisions in Navi Mumbai
Discussions on the self-redevelopment of housing societies are gaining momentum across municipal corporations in Maharashtra, Maharashtra Housing Self/Redevelopment Authority chairman and BJP MLA Pravin Darekar said on Tuesday. The statement comes after corporators in the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation raised the issue during civic house debates and urged the local administration to promote self-redevelopment.
The self-redevelopment model was initially introduced in Mumbai by Darekar through the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank (Mumbai Bank) to help middle-class families undertake property redevelopment independently. Darekar noted that the momentum has now expanded to other civic bodies, with Navi Mumbai representatives calling for concrete measures to encourage societies to choose self-redevelopment.
During a recent discussion in the Navi Mumbai civic house regarding the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), corporators demanded administrative backing for the scheme. Darekar said his study group took note of these demands and reviewed the framework. The study group concluded that urban planning policies should prioritize creating affordable housing while ensuring local infrastructure does not face excessive pressure.
However, the study group identified specific provisions within the UDCPR that could adversely affect self-redevelopment efforts. Detailed recommendations and concrete alternatives prepared by the study group have already been submitted to the state government for review and policy adjustment.
Darekar pointed out that while Maharashtra's state housing policy explicitly emphasizes promoting self-redevelopment and group self-redevelopment, inconsistencies exist between the housing policy and the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR/UDCPR). The Maharashtra Housing Self/Redevelopment Authority is currently working to reconcile these regulatory differences.
To resolve these challenges, Darekar announced that he will soon hold formal discussions with the Navi Mumbai mayor, group leaders, corporators, and the municipal commissioner. He affirmed that the authority remains committed to boosting self-redevelopment initiatives in Navi Mumbai and across the state.
