Kamaraj Nagar’s development history @ a glance:
The residents here have been wanting development since the early 90’s, during this period a builder was appointed for development and signed the initial copy of the agreement between the Builder and the resident in the year 1993 -
The 1st agreement states “the builder would build 320 sq ft carpet area (equivalent to 450 sq ft super built up area) flat for all the 118 residents free off cost”.
In the meanwhile the Slum Rehabilitation Authority along with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project came into picture with the 225 sq. ft. minimum cap for a slum redevelopment project. Unfortunately, this plan brought ill-fate to the residents of Kamaraj Nagar. The builder backed out from the initial agreement and claimed he could only build a 225sq ft carpet area flat, Since a 320 sq ft carpet area flat is not permitted by the law and as compensation he will give `200,000 to every resident. This decision divided our society into two groups - One group accepting the builders offer and the other standing up for what was promised to them i.e. a 320 sq ft carpet area flat. In the year 1997 a new agreement was signed between the builder and some (90 residents) of the residents -
The 2nd agreement states “the builder would build 225 sq ft carpet area and give `200,000 to every resident”
and a down payment of `50,000 was paid to these 90 residents by the builder.
- The 1st agreement states "the builder would build 320 sq ft carpet area
(equivalent to 450 sq ft super built up area) flat for all the 118
residents free off cost". In the meanwhile the Slum Rehabilitation
Authority along with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project came into picture
with the 225 sq. ft. minimum cap (NOT A MAXIMUM CAP) for a slum
redevelopment project. And any slum willing to get developed under this scheme can approach the SRA(Slum Rehabilitation Authority) for the redevelopment. The developer for his greed for more land convinced the then society members for this plan. Unfortunately, this plan brought ill-fate to the residents of Kamaraj Nagar. The builder backed out from the initial agreement and claimed he could only build a 225sq ft carpet area flat, Since a 320 sq ft carpet area flat is not permitted by the law and as
compensation the builder will give `200,000 to every resident. This
decision divided our society into two groups - One group accepting the
builders offer and the other standing up for what was promised to them i.e.
a 320 sq ft carpet area flat.
Today, the scenario is still very much the same, some have agreed to
what is proposed by the builder to us (a 269 sq. feet carpet area apartment
with additional balcony and flowerbed area.) and others want better floor
space so that their families (average a family of five) can live a decent
life. When there are so many provisions in the law to tackle such
situations why are we still only entitled for 269sq. feet and if we ask
for even a teeny bit more living space, our requests are termed as ILLEGAL
and SELFISH! You will agree with me, that this is not an illegal request.
Today we are still in slum and the developer is in plans to sell the project to make easy money out of it but posing to the world as if they are the slum rehabilitator's and the only hope for Kamaraj Nagar.
