BDD chawl owners get chance to check out MHADA’s sample flats

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is all set to display the sample flats to Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) chawl owners. These flats are at least of 500 square feet area which are constructed under the redevelopment project as against the flats measuring 160 square feet area in which they are presently living.

The eligible Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) chawl owners from Naigaon, N M Joshi Marg and Worli are set to receive these flats under the redevelopment project.

“The sample flats for chawl owners from Naigaon and N M Joshi Math are almost ready. The owners can now have an idea of the area by visiting these sample flats. The sample flats will exactly resemble to newly constructed flats under the redevelopment project” said a senior MHADA official.

The biometric survey in order to find out the eligible chawl owners for redevelopment has been completed in areas of N M Joshi Marg and Worli.

“We faced opposition from chawl owners in Naigaon area due to some political issues. Hence, a new government resolution is being prepared for conducting survey in this area,” added the official.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the redevelopment plan of the British era BDD chawl on April 22, 2017. There are at least 207 chawls in BDD and were built in 1920s. The master plan of the redevelopment plan involves constructing a playground, school, medical dispensary and grocery shop.

The MHADA officials stated the redevelopment project as one of the largest in the country. “The redevelopment project is set to be completed in seven years and has been planned in several stages. The target set for completing each stage of the project work is 30 months. On 28 June last year, the state government appointed authorities to look after the redevelopment of the eligible persons,” said a MHADA official.

Considering the fact there are several shops located in the premises of the chawl, the authorities have been ascertaining the eligibility of the shopkeepers.

“Once the agreement is signed with the shopkeepers, they would be shifted to a transit camp. The residents residing in the transit camp would not be levied of any service charges. They are required to pay only the electricity charges,” added the MHADA official.

The eligible residents will be receiving flats under the ownership basis and free of cost. Under the redevelopment plan, one kitchen, a hall, two bathrooms and two toilets would be provided to the residents.

“We have also included the non-residential structures, places of worship under the redevelopment plan. The eligible slum dwellers at Naigaon, N M Joshi Marg (Parel) and Worli would be rehabilitated together at the current BDD chawl located in Worli area,” added the MHADA official.