India, May 11 -- For 156 families, a 25-year-long wait for their own flat will be over this year. They tried their luck in the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's (MHADA) housing lottery draw in 2000, and will get possession of their homes in Thane's Chitalsar Manpada area in 2025, as the project has finally received the Occupation Certificate from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

Over the next few weeks, MHADA's Konkan Board will issue provisional offer letters to the 156 winners to initiate completion of pending formalities, including payment of the balance amount, allotment letters and possession of homes, an official said.

These winners are from the Economically Weaker Section and Low Income Group categories, ...