Dagdi Chawl set to don a new, skyscraper look

MUMBAI: Ten structures, nine of them over 120 years old, on a 1.13-acre plot in south Mumbai’s Agripada, are set to make way for three multi-storey towers — two 40-storey buildings and one comprising 50 storeys. The main (plot) point: The makeover is of the infamous Dagdi Chawl, bastion of underworld don-turnedpolitician Arun Gawli.

Geeta Gawli, corporator and daughter of Gawli, confirmed this development, which comes under the cluster redevelopment scheme.

Gawli, 65, is serving a life sentence in a 2008 murder case and was lodged in Nagpur Central Prison. Last month, the Bombay high court had granted parole to Gawli on the grounds of his wife’s ill-health.

Under the revamp plan, estimated to be completed in eight years, the two 40-storey buildings will house the old tenants (388) and the flats in the 50-storey tower will be sold in the open market.

“We have 388 tenants in our chawls and they will get 450square feet houses. We are at the planning stage and have finalised a local builder to undertake this scheme” said Geeta.

The redevelopment is being undertaken by south Mumbaibased Livstone Developers LLP. They have obtained 100% consent of the tenants for the revamp and have now received an initial approval from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

“Dagdi Chawl is all set for redevelopment and we have given the letter of intent (LOI) for this purpose,” said MHADA chairman (repair board), Vinod Ghosalkar.

“The builders now need to complete other formalities and start work,” he added.

According to Nitin Pawar, spokesperson, Livstone Developers, the firm took up the project after being encouraged by both Gawli and the tenants.