Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday reiterated the Mahayuti government’s commitment to realising the late Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision of ensuring housing for every Mumbaikar, particularly the economically weaker sections and the working class, reported the PTI.
Speaking at a housing lottery event organised by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) in Thane, Eknath Shinde said this vision is being brought to life through extensive housing initiatives in collaboration with MHADA, CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra), the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
At the event, 5,354 homes and 77 plots were allotted via a fully computerised draw. Describing the occasion as a “festival of fulfilment” for thousands of families, Shinde highlighted the public’s renewed faith in MHADA, owing to the transparency of the lottery system.
“A house is not merely a structure of four walls. It represents security, dignity, and happiness for every family. Balasaheb Thackeray envisioned that every Mumbaikar, especially the poor and working-class citizens, should have a home of their own. Today, that dream is materialising,” Shinde said, according to the PTI.
Eknath Shinde further stated that Bal Thackeray’s vision was not political, but emotional, rooted in restoring dignity to every Mumbaikar.
He noted that MHADA has constructed over nine lakh homes across Maharashtra, adding that the fact that 35 to 40 citizens compete for every flat reflects strong public confidence in the authority. He assured that the housing allocation process remains entirely transparent, with no political interference or favouritism.
The Deputy CM also said that redevelopment efforts are underway in older colonies built by MHADA and SRA, along with the construction of lakhs of affordable homes in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Dombivli, Mira-Bhayandar, and other areas within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
“We are not just building structures; we are creating homes that echo Balasaheb’s vision,” he stated.
To accelerate the pace of redevelopment, the government has launched joint ventures with CIDCO, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). According to Shinde, 30 to 35 lakh new homes are planned over the next five years, with a projected investment of Rs 50 lakh crore.
(with PTI inputs)
