The long-awaited redevelopment of the Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawls is finally nearing fruition, with residents set to move into their new homes by March 2025. Overseen by the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA), the ambitious INR 16,000 crore project promises modern amenities and improved living conditions for thousands of families currently residing in the century-old chawls.
Rehab Building No. 1, consisting of eight 40-storey towers labelled A to H, will house the first group of residents in March 2025. Two of these towers are expected to be ready by then, while the remaining six are slated for completion by December 2025. Cement concrete work is already finished for seven wings, with final touches underway for the remaining structures. Each apartment, measuring 500 square feet, will feature modern amenities including a living room, a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, a second bedroom, a dining area, and designated space for a washing machine. Fire safety measures such as sprinklers and fireboxes will be installed in every unit, ensuring residents’ safety. Parking facilities will be allocated according to unit size.
The redeveloped area is designed to provide an enhanced quality of life, with facilities including a clubhouse, school, playground, library, and community hall. Healthcare needs will be addressed with the inclusion of a hospital, welfare centre, and dispensary, while a society office will support community administration.
Built between 1920 and 1925 by the Bombay Development Department, the BDD Chawls in Worli, Naigaum, and Parel originally served as affordable housing for migrant workers employed in Mumbai’s railroads, ports, and textile mills. Over the decades, these ground-plus-three structures have become severely overcrowded and lack modern sanitation, with some rooms housing up to eight people sharing a single bathroom.
The redevelopment, announced in April 2017 by then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has faced multiple delays due to issues such as contractor selection and eligibility disputes. However, the project now stands as a beacon of hope for families who have endured decades of substandard living conditions. By revitalising the area, the redevelopment will preserve the historic significance of the BDD Chawls while addressing the pressing need for modern, sustainable housing in Mumbai.
