In a significant milestone, residents of Tilak Nagar’s MHADA Building No. 93 in Chembur have finally secured approval for self-redevelopment after years of facing civic challenges. This achievement comes following the clearance of hurdles posed by tree-cutting permissions and years of neglect on the site.
Constructed in 1961, the building housed generations of lower-income families, including former mill workers. Structural issues prompted residents to opt for redevelopment under a state government scheme in 2007. The project was initially handed over to a private builder but stalled indefinitely after the building’s demolition in 2010. The abandoned site subsequently turned into a dumping ground, with waste and sprouting trees complicating redevelopment efforts. By 2024, the residents, frustrated with the lack of progress, decided to pursue self-redevelopment. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Tree Authority became a stumbling block, numbering trees that had grown on the plot over time and mandating permissions for their removal. The society argued that these trees had sprouted naturally within a private plot owned by MHADA and leased to the housing society.
After persistent follow-ups and representations to the Tree Authority, the society obtained the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to clear the site. Additional permissions from the Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) and the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) were also secured in record time, highlighting the power of collective action. “The success of self-redevelopment lies in the unity of the members,” said advocate Shreeprasad Parab, a resident and legal representative of the society. Despite the challenges, the society kept costs minimal, spending under ₹5,000 primarily on travel expenses. They are now awaiting the Commencement Certificate (CC) from MHADA and preparing for RERA registration, with construction slated to commence in the first quarter of the upcoming year. This redevelopment journey underscores the strength of cooperative housing and the ability of residents to overcome systemic obstacles when united by a common goal.
