Lodha floats idea of acquiring slums in order to build toilet blocks
Representation Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will acquire land in slum colonies at prices higher than the going market rate to build community toilets for residents. The new proposal in this regard, put forth by the Guardian Minister (suburbs) Mangal Prabhat Lodha, aims to overcome the shortage of community toilets in the city. “If need be, the BMC can acquire huts at more than 3-4 times the market rate to construct community toilets in slum pockets,” he said.
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Addressing the issue of shortage and the condition of community toilets in slum areas, Lodha said the condition of community toilets will improve in the next six months, as the work of constructing new toilets and repairing existing ones will begin. “Also, I have suggested that the number of community toilets be increased,” Lodha said.
If the civic administration accepts this suggestion, as per the ready reckoner rate, the BMC would need to pay at least Rs 60-Rs 80 lakh for a 300-sqft hut in Worli. Procuring a hut in Bandra West will cost the same, while in Dahisar the cost will be around Rs 30-40 lakh. In Ghatkopar, the cost will be around Rs 39-50 lakh while in Mankhurd/Govandi the cost will be Rs 25-45 lakh. Further, Lodha said the quality of roads leading to slums will be improved and all roads will be concreted. “This is a pilot project,” he added.
Also read: Mumbai: In single day, BMC seizes 87 kg of plastic, collects Rs 2.95 lakh in fines
‘Better roads in next 2 years’
Lodha said the BMC has started concreting roads. In the next two years, the quality of the roads in Mumbai will improve. It has also been decided to have one vehicle with mastic asphalt on standby in each ward.
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