Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority searches for office space close to Mantralaya

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) is all set to get closer to Mantralaya. The housing authority of the state, which is based out of its headquarters in Bandra's Kalanagar area is looking for an office space measuring 2,000-2,500 sq ft area within a one-kilometre radius of the Mantralaya.

An e-tender notice was issued by Mhada's Mumbai Board recently. The reason behind this particular demand is being spearheaded because the current president of Mhada Uday Samant raised it. When asked he says, "Whenever our officials including IAS officers visit Mantralaya for meeting they do not have any place even to sit till the meeting starts. There is no clear provision for their waiting of officials and hence this office space near Mantralaya will be of great help."

Many officials from Mhada have to visit Mantralaya on a regular basis to meet higher officials and many meeting pertaining to Mhada are scheduled there.

The monthly rent for an area measuring up to 2,000-2,500 sq ft in Nariman Point where Mantralaya is located will cost Mhada nowhere less than Rs 2-2.5 lakh per month. A realty source said, "It isn't difficult to find this big an office in Nariman Point, there are many buildings close to Mantralaya which offer this space."

Mantralaya is surrounded by many commercial buildings, many of them have offices belonging to big firms including lawyers, corporate and others.

While some in Mhada think that having an office near Mantralaya is a good decision as it would mean that they can even work while they are out for a meeting in town side. "Many a time when we visit Mantralaya for some meeting our whole day goes waste, we have to wait there for the meeting to start and then it takes longer and we then end up spending our entire day there."

The official further added, "If we get the office here, then we will be able to take our files and work at the office, and just minutes before the meeting starts we can easily reach the meeting in Mantralaya as the office will be within 1 km radius."

According to a senior official, Mhada had earlier tried having an office in Nariman Point area, but the owner then wanted a three year locking period, and hence it didn't materialise. The first part of the e-tender will be opened on Monday.

COST ARITHMATICS

• The monthly rent for an area measuring up to 2,000-2,500 sq ft at Nariman Point will cost  over Rs 2-2.5 lakh per month
• Mantralaya is surrounded by many commercial buildings, many of them have offices belonging to big firms including lawyers, corporate and others