The Maharashtra government has handed over keys and possession letters to 557 eligible residents of the NM Joshi Marg BDD chawl redevelopment project in Lower Parel, marking the completion of three rehabilitation buildings in the first phase of the long-delayed urban renewal programme.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ceremonially handed keys to 11 residents at an event held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir, Housing Minister Ashish Shelar, Minister of State for Housing Pankaj Bhoyar, MP Milind Deora, senior officials and MHADA Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal attended the ceremony.
Fadnavis said the state government was committed to ensuring that original Mumbaikars and long-term city residents were not forced out of Mumbai. He said the government wanted to provide larger, better-equipped homes in the neighbourhoods where families had lived for generations while preserving the city’s social and cultural character.
The redevelopment project is being implemented by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, or MHADA. Fadnavis said the state had chosen MHADA over private developers after large-scale redevelopment efforts faced execution difficulties and remained pending for several years. MHADA was appointed as the developer in 2017-18.
Under the redevelopment plan, eligible residents living in homes of around 160 square feet are being provided 500-square-foot rehabilitation flats. The new homes include a living room, two bedrooms and other essential facilities. The government has described the project as one of the largest urban renewal initiatives in Asia.
Fadnavis also said eligible police personnel who lived in the BDD chawls before the 2011 cutoff would continue to be offered homes for Rs 15 lakh. Police personnel who became ineligible because of the cutoff would be considered as special cases and offered homes at construction cost. He said a meeting would be held to address price differences and other implementation-related difficulties.
Shinde directed the agencies involved to complete the remaining redevelopment work within the stipulated timeline without compromising the quality of construction or resident amenities. He said the rehabilitation buildings should meet standards comparable to premium residential projects being developed for sale.
According to Shinde, the cluster redevelopment would provide residents with neighbourhood facilities including open spaces, gardens, gymnasiums, children’s play areas and 23 other types of amenities. He also said the state would work to ensure that pending rent was paid to residents along with possession of their homes. Cases registered against youths during protests over the NM Joshi Marg redevelopment would also be considered for withdrawal, he said.
The handover has also brought attention to the pressure that rising population could place on local civic infrastructure. Sachin Ahir sought BMC support for improvements to water supply and roads in Worli and proposed a flyover connecting Famous Studios with Na M Joshi Marg. He said the link could reduce the need for detours through Saat Rasta and Arthur Road Naka.
The next stage of the project will involve completing the remaining redevelopment work, addressing pending rent and pricing issues, and delivering the promised civic and community facilities to residents.
