September 19, 2025: The long-awaited dream of Naigaon BDD Chawl residents to move into spacious homes is close to reality, as the redevelopment project reaches a major milestone. Construction of five rehabilitation towers comprising 864 flats has been completed, with the Mumbai Board of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) now in the process of securing a ‘No Objection’ Certificate (NOC) from the fire department.
Once the NOC is granted, the board will swiftly obtain occupancy certificates and hand over possession of the homes within the next 15 days. Officials confirmed that if the process moves as scheduled, residents will be able to celebrate Diwali this year in their new 500 sq ft apartments.
The first phase of the BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project is underway across Worli, N.M. Joshi Marg and Naigaon. Already, 556 families in Worli have taken possession of new flats. In Naigaon, eight rehabilitation buildings are part of the first phase, with three more planned for the second. Of these, five have now been completed.
For the 864 newly built flats on Plot 2, allotments have already been finalised through a lottery system, which decided the specific unit and floor for each eligible resident. These homes are housed in 23-storey towers, marking a significant upgrade for families moving from the old chawls.
Spread over 6.45 hectares, Naigaon BDD Chawl originally comprised 42 chawls with 3,344 households. Under the redevelopment scheme, all residents will be relocated into 20 high-rise towers – eight in the first phase and 12 in the second. With five buildings now completed, MHADA officials said efforts are being expedited to secure final approvals and hand over keys.
This redevelopment promises not just improved housing but also a festive homecoming for hundreds of families this Diwali.
Source: Loksatta
