The Indian Express              27.12.2013

BMC hikes FSI by 4 for conservancy staff quarters

More than five years after it promised to build new staff quarters for the 28,000 workers of the solid waste management department, the BMC has expedited the proposal by approving additional 4 floor space index (FSI) for the houses.

The need for the staff quarters through the 'Ashray' scheme to house more than 28,000 conservancy workers of the BMC became reinforced and gathered steam after the September 27 Babu Genu Market building collapse that killed 61 people and injured 33. The victims were staying at the staff quarters in the building.

The proposal would be sent to the state government for final approval, said a senior civic official.

In 2008, the BMC had announced the Ashray (shelter) project for conservancy workers. There are nearly 28,000 workers sweeping the city's streets and shifting garbage to dumping grounds but only 4,554 civic quarters, most of them dilapidated, across the city for them and their families.

The BMC had decided to make budgetary provisions for the project in a staggered manner. Owing to several hurdles and a change in administration, the project did not take off. While the existing housing facilities are inadequate, seven of the 24 civic wards do not even have any quarters for the workers. The area include Chira Bazaar, Andheri-Jogeswari-Vileparle (East), Chembur, Malad, Dahisar, Bandra-Santacruz East and King Circle that have a high population density.

Under Ashray, existing chawl-like quarters will be redeveloped in addition to creating housing in locations where there are none.

The scheme has been revived with the BMC identifying six locations for the project. While the scheme is estimated to cost Rs 1,850 crore, the BMC has set aside only Rs 50 crore in its 2013-14 budget.