Affordable housing?
The report on affordable housing (DNA,8/11/11) makes sad reading. That the prices of flats in Mumbai have gone up by ten times in a decade is a slap on the face of all politicians in Maharastra who swear by 'am admi'. They have repeatedly talked about affordable housing for the masses for the last two or three decades. Mill workers have been denied their rights to a dwelling while the mill owners have built their malls and luxurious housing. No wonder slums have proliferated from 55 to 70 percent in Mumbai. Slum re-development programmes have become a farce where elite have been able to corner flats. With prices zooming so high only the rich and the super rich only can afford to live in Mumbai. Over-crowded trains and buses, unending traffic jams, pot-holed roads and high power tariff characterize Mumbai today. The city is being ruled by greedy politicians and unscrupulous builders. This is not a city of dreams. If Singapore can provide housing for all, Mumbai too can do it. However, that requires vision and imagination which our politicians do not have.
*******
