BDD chawl redevelopment gets government panel nod

A high-power committee (HPC) under chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya has cleared the long-pending redevelopment of the Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) chawls, which are spread across Worli, NM Joshi Marg and Naigaon.

The project, which will be one of the largest rehabilitation projects in Mumbai so far and cover 207 British-era buildings, will see over 16,500 families being rehabilitated in 500 sqft flats. This will see rehabilitation of eligible residents, who also include families of policemen.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), which will carry out the work, will use the remaining land for constructing housing units for the middle class, higher income group and for commercial entities. It will help create housing stock and these units can be sold in the open market. The chawls are spread over a 93-acre area.

"The plan has been approved in-principle," said Kshatriya, adding that it would require a final nod from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Kshatriya said the meeting, which was held last week, had finalised the type of flats to be provided to residents under the rehabilitation component and for sale. The state cabinet had earlier cleared the project. A floor space index (FSI) of 4 will also be given for it.

"Those who stay there will be rehabilitated in 500 sqft flats," said Kshatriya, adding that these housing units will have two bedrooms and toilets. He noted that a new section, namely 33(9) B had been included in the city's Development Control Regulations (DCR) for the redevelopment and suggestions and objections had been sought from people. Apart from residents, even those who own commercial units will be eligible for rehabilitation.

"The (plan) will have four components. After rehabilitation of families staying there and setting aside land for statutory reservations like recreational grounds and play grounds… the committee has recommended that 60% of the remaining land be used for housing the middle class, and the rest of the land will be used in a 30:10 ratio for the high income group and commercial units," said Kshatriya.

The state government will also request the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), whose lands at Sewri also house 19 of these structures, to grant its NOC for the redevelopment.

"We have prepared a time-table... First, the DCR will be finalised by September-end or October after considering the suggestions and objections of the people. Then, the plans will be submitted to the planning authority (BMC) for its approval, green clearances will be obtained from the environment committee as it involves construction over 20,000 sqmt, after which the physical work will start," said Kshatriya. He added that they had planned to start work at the site before the end of this financial year.

However, the project may be kicked off first at the chawls located on the NM Joshi Marg and Naigaon, due to legal hurdles at Worli, which houses the highest number of residents. However, the same broad template will be used at the Worli site.