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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

CIDCO struggles to find takers for its homes

Mumbai: The City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) latest housing scheme has exposed a recurring challenge for the planning authority: finding buyers for its large housing inventory despite its affordable-housing focus. The August 2026 scheme offered 4,793 homes in Taloja, Kharghar and Kalamboli and received 4,180 confirmed applications before bookings closed on September 3. While CIDCO described the response as strong, 613 homes—nearly 13 per cent of the inventory—had no...

CIDCO struggles to find takers for its homes

Mumbai: The City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) latest housing scheme has exposed a recurring challenge for the planning authority: finding buyers for its large housing inventory despite its affordable-housing focus. The August 2026 scheme offered 4,793 homes in Taloja, Kharghar and Kalamboli and received 4,180 confirmed applications before bookings closed on September 3. While CIDCO described the response as strong, 613 homes—nearly 13 per cent of the inventory—had no confirmed applicant. This follows earlier schemes with similar gaps. In January 2025, CIDCO’s ‘My Preferred Home’ scheme, offering around 26,000 homes across Navi Mumbai, attracted 1.36 lakh initial applications. However, only about 55,000 applicants paid the registration fee and around 22,000 deposited the required earnest money, leaving serious participation below the number of homes offered. A CAG-linked report on two CIDCO housing schemes in Kharghar found that, of 4,814 saleable tenements, allotment letters had been issued to 3,733 applicants and possession handed over to 3,317. Four years after the draw, 1,081 tenements remained unsold. CIDCO has also faced scrutiny over marketing expenditure. In 2023, reports questioned the appointment of private agencies to market and allot PMAY homes, stating that the agencies had received advances of more than Rs 100 crore before sales took place. CIDCO officials said external support was necessary given the scale of the programme. The scale of investment adds to the concern. CIDCO’s mass-housing programme envisaged 68,515 homes at an estimated cost of around Rs 15,300 crore. A 2024 report noted that thousands of completed homes were awaiting sale, locking up capital and increasing the authority’s financial burden. The latest homes are located in Taloja Sector 39, Kalamboli Bus Depot and Kharghar Bus Depot. Taloja accounts for 4,229 homes, followed by 257 in Kalamboli and 293 in Kharghar. Indicative prices range from around Rs 23.50 lakh in Taloja to Rs 37.70 lakh in Kalamboli and Rs 43.50 lakh in Kharghar. The figures point to a possible mismatch between what CIDCO considers affordable and what its target buyers can finance. Industry experts have noted that EWS homes priced at Rs 25 lakh or more may be difficult for households within the prescribed income ceiling, particularly after registration, stamp duty, floor-rise charges and other costs. Location may also influence demand. Taloja has seen rapid development and improved connectivity, including metro access, but buyers continue to weigh its distance from established employment centres and social infrastructure, as well as commuting costs. CIDCO maintains that its housing programme meets a genuine need in Navi Mumbai. Ashwin Mudgal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, CIDCO, said, “The overwhelming response to the housing scheme reflects the aspirations of citizens to own a home in Navi Mumbai and their continued confidence in CIDCO’s planned development initiatives. CIDCO remains committed to providing affordable and quality housing opportunities in well-planned locations, enabling citizens to benefit from the region’s growing infrastructure and connectivity.” The authority has also highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) subsidy, under which eligible beneficiaries can receive Rs 2.5 lakh, subject to applicable guidelines and eligibility criteria. However, the repeated unsold inventory suggests that CIDCO’s challenge extends beyond construction. Pricing, apartment configurations, location, payment flexibility and connectivity may need to be reassessed before further public resources are committed.

‘Our formulations cater to needs of grapplers’

Correspondent
Mar 2, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Mar 3, 2025

Siddharth Singh is known as India’s accomplished athlete. He has turned into an entrepreneur with a lunch of a supplement brand. The pioneer of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) talks to ‘The Perfect Voice’ regarding his journey as an entrepreneur and future plans. Excerpts...

Siddharth Singh

From an MSc in International Strategy and Economics to becoming India's first competitive Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. How did your educational background influence your approach to entrepreneurship?

My journey in martial arts has been driven by a deep passion for combat sports. However, building Crosstrain Fight Club—India’s leading MMA academy—required more than just technical expertise; it needed strategic planning, business acumen, and brand development. My education and corporate experience played a crucial role in making this vision a reality.


My MSc in International Strategy and Economics from the University of St Andrews provided me with the tools to plan and structure India’s first MMA academy in a way that ensured long-term sustainability and growth. My journey—from an athlete to a coach and entrepreneur—has been fueled by a mix of martial arts passion, strategic education, and corporate branding expertise. With Crosstrain Fight Club, my mission is to continue developing India’s next generation of world-class MMA athletes and elevating Indian MMA on the global stage.


What gaps in the market did you identify that inspired you to create a supplement brand specifically for the Indian fitness community?

As an athlete and coach, I’ve always believed that success in combat sports isn’t just about skill and training—it’s also about what fuels your body. When I founded Crosstrain Fight Club, my mission was to create a training environment that could produce world-class athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and other combat sports. But one major challenge stood in the way—high-quality sports nutrition was either too expensive or simply not available in India.


That’s why I started 191 Nutrition.


I saw firsthand how athletes in India struggled to find affordable yet effective supplements to support their training. Either they had to compromise on quality, or they had to pay a premium for imported products. This wasn’t acceptable to me. Our athletes deserve the best, and I wanted to create a brand that delivers world-class supplementation at Indian prices.


How does 191 Nutrition stand out in such a crowded market?

From day one, I made sure that 191 Nutrition was something I could personally trust—for myself, my family, and my students at Crosstrain Fight Club. Every product we release is tested and used by me, my entire team, and some of the top athletes in the country.


Today, 191 Nutrition is proud to be the choice of AJP Pro Jiu-Jitsu League and ADCC India athletes. These are some of the best grapplers and fighters in the country, competing at the highest levels, and they trust 191 Nutrition to fuel their journey.


We focus on science-backed formulations that cater specifically to the needs of grapplers, MMA fighters, and strength athletes. Whether it’s protein, recovery supplements, or performance enhancers, every product is designed to meet the demands of combat sports.


How do you ensure that 191 Nutrition’s offerings align with the needs of both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts?

When I launched 191 Nutrition, my goal wasn’t just to create supplements for professional fighters and athletes. I wanted to build products that would help anyone—from elite competitors to everyday fitness enthusiasts—perform at their best.


Whether you’re an ADCC India or AJP Pro athlete preparing for the next big tournament or someone juggling work, family, and training, your body has unique demands. 191 Nutrition is designed to meet those demands with precision—helping athletes recover faster while also ensuring regular people stay active and healthy.


You’ve trained over 5,000 women in self-defense. Can you share your experience?

At Crosstrain Fight Club, we have had the privilege of training over 5,000 women in self-defense over the past 12 years. While this has been an incredible journey, I believe we can do 10 times more in the next 10 years.

To make this vision a reality, we are launching a dedicated foundation that will work exclusively with orphanages, NGOs, and schools that focus on empowering young girls. Our mission is to equip them with essential physical and psychological self-defense techniques, helping them build confidence, awareness, and the ability to recognize potential threats.


What’s next for you both as an athlete and an entrepreneur?

With the UFC's global influence expanding, more Indian audiences are becoming aware of the sport, leading to a surge in participation at both amateur and professional levels. Fighters like Anshul Jubli and Pooja Tomar have proven that Indian athletes can compete on the biggest stages, inspiring the next generation to take up the sport seriously. Their success has also caught the attention of international promotions, opening doors for more Indian talent.


The next decade will be crucial in developing grassroots training programs, increasing sponsorship opportunities, and creating a structured ecosystem that allows Indian fighters to thrive.

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