MHADA Lottery for 12,626 Housing Units Receives Tepid Response; Deadline Extension on Cards

The Konkan Housing and Area Development Board, a division of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), is grappling with a lacklustre response to its lottery for 12,626 housing units. These units, spread across Thane, Kalyan, Titwala, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, were announced on October 11, 2024.

Despite efforts, only 10,015 applications have been submitted, and just 3,211 applicants have paid the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) as of November 27, 2024. MHADA has allocated 10,428 units for the economically weaker section (EWS), 1,981 units for the low-income group (LIG), 85 units for the middle-income group (MIG), and 132 units for the high-income group (HIG). The current deadline for applications is December 10, 2024, with EMD payments accepted until December 11. However, officials are considering extending the timeline to attract more participants.

A senior MHADA official attributed the tepid response to the election Code of Conduct, which limited outreach efforts. “We plan to ramp up advertising and may extend the deadline if necessary to maximise participation,” he stated. Industry experts cite pricing and competition as key deterrents. Adv Vinod Sampat, President of the Cooperative Societies Users Association, pointed out that MHADA’s pricing is often higher than private developers, despite fewer amenities and location constraints. Additionally, resale restrictions further diminish the appeal of these flats.

Nitin Singhal, CMD of Absolute Group, noted that micro-markets like Kalyan, Titwala, and Palghar offer private housing options with competitive pricing, better amenities, and flexible payment plans, making them more attractive. In areas like Raigad and Ratnagiri, many prefer constructing homes on ancestral or affordable land rather than opting for MHADA-developed units. MHADA aims to revitalise interest through aggressive marketing. Key dates include the publication of a provisional list of eligible applicants on December 18, the final list on December 24, and the computerised lottery on December 27, 2024.