BDD Chawl Residents Seek MHADA Lottery Delay Over Unresolved Issues

MUMBAI: The residents’ association of the Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawls has urged the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to reschedule the upcoming lottery draw for the allotment of flats under the second phase of redevelopment at Worli. The residents are raising concerns over a lack of consultation, the preservation of long-standing religious structures, and the need to maintain the area’s social fabric.

The lottery draw for the allotment of 2,246 flats is scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Thursday. This is part of the second phase of the redevelopment project at the BDD Chawls. Earlier, on August 15, possession of 556 flats in newly constructed multi-storey buildings was handed over to residents.

Each of the newly built flats measures 500 sq ft, a significant upgrade from the 160 sq ft chawls constructed between 1920 and 1925 by the erstwhile Bombay Development Department. The chawls were among the earliest forms of affordable urban housing for migrant workers employed in the city’s textile mills, docks, and railways.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde, and senior MHADA officials, Kiran Mane, general secretary of the Akhil BDD Chawl Bhadekaru Hakk Sarankshan Samiti, alleged that MHADA was attempting to hand over possession of flats in the second phase without adequately consulting residents.

“Instead of mixing everyone up, there needs to be a harmonious approach that allows people to stay with their existing neighbours so that festivals, traditions, and family events can continue as they have for decades,” Mane said. He also questioned MHADA’s plans regarding the relocation of religious structures that have existed in the area for several decades, alleging that there had been no meaningful dialogue on the issue.

Residents are set to meet MHADA officials on Monday, after which a decision is expected on whether to go ahead with the lottery draw as planned.

As part of the first phase of the Worli BDD Chawl redevelopment project, construction of 14 buildings—each with 40 floors—began in 2021. So far, only two buildings have been completed. In total, 33 buildings are proposed to rehouse 9,689 residents from the BDD Chawls at Worli.