In Maharashtra, where the landscape is dotted with approximately 1.25 lakh registered societies, housing remains a critical concern. Among these, around one lakh societies comprise buildings, representing a significant portion of the state’s urban fabric. However, the process of redevelopment, crucial for maintaining and upgrading these societies, often encounters bureaucratic hurdles, causing delays and frustration among stakeholders.
The Maharashtra State Co-operative Housing Societies Federation has long been advocating for a solution to streamline the permissions required for redevelopment projects. In a recent press conference following a meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the federation’s president, Suhas Patwardhan, reiterated the urgent need for a single-window scheme to expedite this process.
Currently, obtaining permissions for redevelopment projects can be a prolonged ordeal, often taking anywhere between two to three months. This delay is primarily attributed to the bureaucratic maze that entails file movements across three to four different departments. Such inefficiencies not only prolong the approval process but also induce unnecessary stress on stakeholders involved.
Patwardhan emphasized the necessity of a single-window system, which would consolidate the approval process under one umbrella. This streamlined approach would significantly reduce the bureaucratic red tape, allowing for quicker reviews and sanctions. With a single-window scheme in place, stakeholders can anticipate a more efficient process, with approvals potentially granted within a matter of days, rather than months.
It’s worth noting that the Maharashtra government had previously expressed intentions to implement a single-window system for redevelopment permissions. However, despite these assurances, progress on this front has been minimal. The lack of tangible advancements has only exacerbated the frustrations of those eagerly awaiting a smoother redevelopment process.
As Maharashtra continues to grapple with the growing demand for housing and the need to modernize existing infrastructure, expediting the redevelopment of co-operative housing societies is paramount. Not only does it contribute to the aesthetic and structural improvement of these societies, but it also bolsters the overall livability and sustainability of urban areas.
