Residents of the long-delayed Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Goregaon have declared a protest on July 15, challenging the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for not issuing Permanent Alternate Accommodation (PAA) agreements. The legal document, which outlines a resident’s flat number, carpet area, and housing rights, remains pending even as the authority begins issuing possession allotment letters.
The demand for PAAs has gained urgency among residents, who argue that without them, they lack formal legal guarantees to their promised homes. Despite the allotment lottery being held in April 2025, a majority of families have refused possession, citing a combination of legal uncertainty, structural concerns, and pending dues. Concerns over construction quality have further inflamed tensions. Residents report extensive water leakage and wall seepage in the newly built flats. These claims were substantiated by a structural audit conducted by Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), highlighting flaws that could impact the long-term durability of the structures. Tenants have made it clear that they will not accept keys until repairs are completed and legally binding agreements are in hand.
The 47-acre Patra Chawl site, initially launched for redevelopment in 2008, was intended to house over 670 families. MHADA had appointed a private developer to execute the project, with provisions to hand over a portion of units for open market sale and return the remainder to MHADA for rehabilitation. However, progress stalled after the developer allegedly failed to pay rent post-2014 and was subsequently removed from the project in 2018. Since then, MHADA has taken control of the redevelopment and resumed construction. But according to tenant representatives, key contractual obligations remain unmet. Many households are still waiting for overdue rent arrears, while their current living arrangements continue to be unstable.
Despite multiple attempts for clarification, MHADA has not issued a formal response. Residents say the silence from authorities has left them with no choice but to stage a peaceful protest to highlight their plight and demand accountability. The residents’ protest underscores the urgent need for transparency, tenant protection, and structural safety in publicly managed redevelopment schemes. In a city where housing is already a critical concern, legal assurances like the PAA are not just bureaucratic procedures but lifelines for families banking on a stable home after years of waiting.
The upcoming demonstration reflects not only a local grievance but a broader call for reforms in how urban redevelopment is executed—urging authorities to ensure fair and legally secure transitions for displaced communities.
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