IN A NUT SHELL…

This is the story of a marathon agitation that was launched in the City of Mumbai in India for getting land from the Government for housing the economically weaker section, so that such people may not migrate to slums. This agitation, started in 1981, ended in 1992 when possession of 62 acres of land demanded by Nagari Nivara Parishad (NNP) was given to it. When it appeared that its peaceful agitation was being ignored, NNP finally resorted to a week-long Gandhian hunger strike in 1987, and the highest dignitary of the State, the then President of India, Mr. Gyani Zail Singh intervened to persuade the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra to be less adamant in his attitude towards the demand of NNP. This helped in easing the situation. Even then NNP had to wait for another five years to get the possession of the land. Since 1992, after getting the land, NNP has been earnestly going ahead with the execution of this Housing Project. A total of 5,088 two-room tenements and 1064 (1BHK) tenements are planned, out of which 5,088 two-room tenements have been completed and handed over to the members in phases from April,1999 till May 2005 and and 1064 ( 1BHK ) tenements have been handed over from March 2004 till March 2006 Two shopping cum residential buildings and one convenient shopping centre has been completed. Another two shopping cum residential buildings will be ready by December 2007. Construction of a recreational building will start in November 2007. This is a `no profit, no loss' Housing Project.

As the land so secured was undulated, with rocky hills and deep ravines and cut with quarry pits, levelling it was necessary, and this proved to be the costliest item of expenditure.

In addition, the infrastructure development which is primarily the duty of the Municipal Authority has been thrust on NNP. Due to non-availability of basic infrastructure facilities like sewerage, water connection to all plots ,Nagari Nivara Parishad was forced to undertake a huge financial burden of constructing three septic tanks, a large water reservoir at lower elevation of site, training of three major water courses(NALA). This has meant heavy expenditure for NNP and has upset calculations regarding the cost of this Project.

The layout provides for shopping centres, gardens, schools, a community welfare centre, hospital and other amenities.

The Trustees have made immense efforts and have over come adverse situations with firmness and solidarity to carry out this exemplary Housing Project born out of a mass agitation.