Mumbai's BDD chawls: From a prison to a melting pot

The Bombay Development Directorate Chawls were built by the British. According to Sachin Ahir, a former minister — who represented areas like Worli and Lower Parel where most BDD chawls are located — these buildings were meant to be prisons. However, later, a certain British man started using it for his employees, such as the conservancy workers, peons, and others, thus transforming it into a residential area.

"Initially, people were reluctant to move there, because they were averse to the idea of staying in a former prison. So, modifications were made to the structures; kitchens were added, etc, and people gradually started moving in," said Ahir.

After the Brithish left, the chawls came under the jurisdiction of the state government and was handed over to the PWD department for maintenance. SS Konnur, the Executive Engineer of MHADA, who is looking after BDD redevelopment, said, "The chawls are still with the PWD; they are bound to look after maintenance and other aspects. But, we will redevelop it. The Naigaon and NM Joshi Marg chawls will be developed within seven years, while the ones in Worli will take around eight years."

Talking about the influence of mill workers on the BDD chawls, senior Mill union leader Datta Ishwalkar said, "When the mill workers started migrating to the city, they needed a place to stay and the BDD chawls were the best option available. The population there mostly comprises North Indians, Telegus, and Maharashtrians, mostly from the Konkan region and western Maharashtra."