Fadnavis launches ₹16,000-cr BDD chawl revamp; 16,000 new homes may come up

IN THE FIRST PHASE, CHAWLS IN NAIGAON AND LOWER PAREL WILL BE REVAMPED

least 16,000 affordable homes may come up in central Mumbai, as the redevelopment of the Bombay Development Department (BDD) chawls began after decades of delay on Saturday.

One of India’s biggest urban renewal schemes, the revamp will cost Rs 16,000 crore and is spread across a staggering 92.86 acres across central Mumbai. The project was inaugurated at a ceremony by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“The BDD chawls were regarded a goldmine by the erstwhile government, hence they did not take any decision regarding its redevelopment,” Fadnavis said, blaming the 21-year delay on vested interests, while highlighting how his own government tweaked the rules to ensure the existing residents get the maximum benefits. “There are vested interests whose only aim was to hand over this land to private builders. However, I did not allow that to happen and changed rules, like according it a special project status so the maximum benefits are passed on to the residents,” Fadnavis said.

“We will use 68 % of the existing land to rehabilitate the existing residents, and the remaining 32 % will be sale apartments that will fund this project. The existing residents living in 160 square feet houses will now get 500 square feet ones,” the CM said.

The state government has appointed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) as the nodal agency — a decision many resident associations had opposed.