The party has announced a human chain protest in Vashi on March 25, demanding a reduction in housing prices. | File Image
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has intensified its opposition against CIDCO over the pricing of 26,000 homes in Navi Mumbai, alleging that the rates are unaffordable for the common man. The party has announced a human chain protest in Vashi on March 25, demanding a reduction in housing prices.
The protest is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Participants will gather at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Vashi, at 10:00 AM, before moving to Arenja Corner Chowk, Vashi, at 10:30 AM, where the demonstration will take place.
In October 2024, CIDCO launched a housing lottery under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). However, MNS claims that the prices were set much higher than PMAY guidelines, making them inaccessible to economically weaker sections.
At a press conference, MNS spokesperson and Navi Mumbai city president Gajanan Kale accused CIDCO of misleading applicants. He pointed out that before the price announcement, 1.52 lakh people had applied, but after the prices were revealed, only 22,000 applications remained. Of these, around 7,000 homes were forcibly allotted.
Kale stated that CIDCO had spent ₹700 crores on marketing for this lottery, yet the process failed to attract buyers, raising questions about the pricing strategy. He alleged that CIDCO violated PMAY guidelines, which state that:
EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) income limits should be below ₹3 lakh.
LIG (Lower Income Group) should be between ₹3 lakh and ₹6 lakh, with housing prices not exceeding ₹45 lakh.
Despite this, CIDCO increased the LIG income limit beyond ₹6 lakh, making homes unaffordable for intended beneficiaries. Kale sarcastically questioned whether CIDCO now considers IAS officers and industrialists as LIG applicants.
He further criticized the pricing discrepancies, noting that:
CIDCO’s own ready reckoner rates suggest housing should cost around ₹25 lakh.
Yet, 300 sq. ft. homes are being sold for ₹70 lakh.
The same-sized house costs ₹26 lakh in Taloja, ₹48 lakh in Kharghar, and ₹74 lakh in Vashi.
MNS has demanded that CIDCO revise prices in line with PMAY regulations. Accusing CIDCO of profiteering, Kale questioned how banks could approve ₹80 lakh loans for LIG applicants earning only ₹7-8 lakh annually. He also alleged that CIDCO misled buyers by advertising 322 sq. ft. homes but delivering only 290 sq. ft. units.
In response, MNS and affected homebuyers will form a human chain protest in Vashi on March 25 to demand fair pricing.
Kale also raised concerns about existing LIG homeowners who expanded their homes due to growing family needs. Before elections, ruling party leaders had promised to legalize these extensions, but now municipal authorities are issuing demolition notices, labeling them as unauthorized. He questioned why the ruling party remains silent despite having the power to pass regularization laws.
MNS has vowed to support these homeowners and, if necessary, take the fight to the streets.
Senior MNS leaders, including vice city president Savinay Mhatre, city secretary Vilas Ghone, and several affected homebuyers, attended the press conference.
