Mumbai’s BDD Chawl Residents Receive New Flats: Fadnavis Urges Preservation
Over 550 families in Mumbai have received keys to their new flats under the BDD chawl redevelopment project. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urges residents to treat their new homes as 'gold' and preserve them for future generations.
Bdd ChawlMumbaiReal EstateRedevelopmentDevendra FadnavisReal Estate MumbaiAug 14, 2025
Speaking at an event after handing over keys of new homes to 556 eligible residents, Fadnavis noted BDD (Bombay Development Directorate) chawls (buildings divided into small rooms) were not just low-cost housing units, but a witness to the history of Mumbai's social and economic transformation.
Recalling the hurdles faced while undertaking the redevelopment project, which turned chawls, housing Marathi-speaking people working in Mumbai's mills and factories in single-room dwellings, into modern homes in high-rises, he said there were litigations as old as 90 years.
A major hurdle, Fadnavis pointed out, was the expectation that a real estate developer will redevelop the BDD chawls located in Worli, central Mumbai. He said four to five plans were prepared by different real estate developers, but they were only interested in saleable area.
Fadnavis said in his first term as chief minister (2014-2019), the state government decided that state-run Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will manage the redevelopment of the chawls. Global tenders were floated following which contractors were hired for rebuilding the BDD chawls and transforming them into modern homes.
The ground-breaking ceremony of the mega project was held on April 22, 2017, Fadnavis recalled. 'Earlier it used to be gold that would be passed on to the next generation. The (property) rates in Mumbai are equal to the price of gold. It is this house that we need to give to the future generation,' Fadnavis said while addressing the new home owners.
On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged Fadnavis and his second deputy, Eknath Shinde, who holds urban development and housing portfolios, to add a clause in the agreement to ensure the residents are not able to sell the new houses for 10-15 years. This way Marathi manoos (Marathi-speaking people) will stay put in Mumbai, Pawar said.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BDD chawl redevelopment project?
The BDD chawl redevelopment project is a government initiative to transform old, dilapidated chawls into modern high-rise apartments in Mumbai, providing better living conditions for residents.
Who is Devendra Fadnavis?
Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a state in western India. He has been instrumental in pushing forward various developmental projects, including the BDD chawl redevelopment.
What is the significance of treating the new homes as 'gold'?
Fadnavis urged residents to treat their new homes as 'gold' to emphasize the value of the property and the importance of preserving it for future generations, given the high real estate prices in Mumbai.
What were some of the challenges faced during the redevelopment project?
The project faced several challenges, including long-standing litigations, the expectation of real estate developers to focus on saleable area, and the need to balance the interests of all stakeholders.
What is the role of MHADA in the project?
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) was tasked with managing the redevelopment of the BDD chawls, ensuring the project's smooth execution and the welfare of the residents.
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