DNA

• Says move can check the uncontrolled growth of slums in the metropolis

Mumbai, Nov 26 (mb): Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has hit upon the idea of “Hire, Stay & Leave” to check the mushrooming slum clusters in the city.

It is planning to construct rental accommodation for slum-dwellers and those who come to the city in search of jobs and settle down in one of the shanties.

Sources said, SK Joshi, advisor to Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and Mohan Patil, executive engineer with SRA, have been assigned the task of preparing the final proposal.

For the very first time, the idea was mooted at the Think-Tank Committee of MMRDA about a month ago.

The idea, according to sources, is being given shape by the top officials in the metropolitan administration in the next executive meeting in Mantralaya.

Sources revealed that the idea was spearheaded by none other than metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad and is being lauded by administration officials.

All efforts are being made to draft the proposal in such a manner that it has no objectionable element as far as the interests of slum-dwellers are concerned.

UPS Madan, director of All India Institute of Public Administration, and an expert member on the Think-Tank Committee, upheld the idea at the committee meeting.

Madan suggested that MMRDA should involve private parties and NGOs in this project as it is aimed at providing affordable rental accommodation.

He also appealed to popularise the idea in order to gather steam for its successful implementation.

Joint-Metropolitan Commissioner Milind Mhaiskar said the slums should be developed in such a manner that no further shanties come up again. Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said at the meeting that the project should be implemented in new areas.

According to SK Joshi, advisor to SRA, said the areas being developed by MMRDA like Mankhurd can be used for such schemes. Overall, the members supported the proposal.