India, April 25 -- To facilitate residents wishing to redevelop their old buildings themselves, the state housing department has appointed BJP MLC Pravin Darekar on a committee to promote self-redevelopment. In a recent programme, Darekar had apprised CM Devendra Fadnavis of the challenges faced by those wanting to go in for self-redevelopment, a practice which eschews builders and has project management consultants instead.

Darekar also heads the Mumbai District Cooperative Bank which gives loans for self-redevelopment. The bank, which has completed seven self-redevelopment projects in Mumbai and has 15 projects in progress, is encouraging residents to redevelop their buildings themselves instead of going to builders.

Darekar is a clos...