August 13, 2025: Marathi actor and poet Kishore Kadam, also known as Saumitra, has accused a builder of attempting to misclassify the Andheri building where he lives as a slum to secure additional floor space index (FSI) for redevelopment. Kadam claims the move could deprive residents of their rightful homes. His Facebook post on Monday prompted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to direct the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the co-operation department to investigate.
Kadam resides in Hawa Mahal Co-operative Society at Chakala, Andheri East—a 925-square-metre property with one 30-year-old building housing 24 flats. The society has been in talks with a builder for over a year about redevelopment. Kadam alleged that the builder and project management consultant were misleading members by turning a “majority of fools” against those raising legitimate concerns.
He cited a warning from the society’s legal consultant, Pradeep Kadam, that clauses 33 (11) and 33 (12B) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations—meant for slum rehabilitation and civic infrastructure project-affected housing—were being invoked in the draft development agreement. The lawyer cautioned that using these provisions for co-operative society redevelopment could cause future complications.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kadam said his family was sidelined and excluded from a new WhatsApp group for questioning the process. “Even though the legal expert has warned about possible threats, the majority of fools in the society are ignoring the facts as they want redevelopment at any cost. It’s kind of an urban atrocity,” he said.
On Tuesday, CM Fadnavis posted, “I have discussed your complaint with the co-operation department secretary Pravin Darade and SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar and directed them to look into the matter. They will be in touch with you.” Following this, SRA officials contacted Kadam for details. He thanked Fadnavis, expressing hope the intervention would safeguard the society’s interests.
Source: Hindustan Times
