Mumbai, April 9 -- Days after the Maharashtra government decided to regularise unauthorised residential constructions and encroachments existing as of January 1, 2011, the City Industrial and Development Corporation (Cidco) has approved an amnesty scheme to regularise multi-dwelling units constructed on bungalow and row house plots in Navi Mumbai. According to a Cidco board resolution passed on March 23, a copy of which is with HT, multi-dwelling units constructed by plot holders after obtaining the requisite permissions from the planning authority will be deemed regularised without any charges. However, constructions undertaken without prior approval will be regularised upon payment of penal charges-a one-time fee of 25% of the reserve price for residential bungalows and 150% for plots used for commercial purposes. In cases where reconstruction is proposed, the resolution stated that the existing structures must first be regularised before redevelopment can proceed. Subsequent development will be governed by the prevailing Development Control Regulations (DCR) and Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR). Additionally, the board approved the development and redevelopment of bungalow and row house plots as per existing norms. It also encouraged the amalgamation of such plots with different owners to facilitate better planning and utilisation, in line with prevailing regulations. Following regularisation, all such allotments will be treated as residential, and individual dwelling units will be recognised separately, allowing transfer and mortgage as per existing policies. Homeowners and developers in Navi Mumbai welcomed the decision. "We shifted to Navi Mumbai in the mid '80s. When my son got married, we had to add one more room, and later another one for my grandchildren. Now, we have been approached by a builder for redevelopment, and it's always better if we can regularise this," said a row house owner. Prakash Baviskar, chairman and managing director of the Baviskar Group, said the "game-changer" scheme brings long-awaited legal clarity to thousands of unauthorised constructions and provides much-needed relief to property owners....