The lottery draw for allotment of 2,246 flats under the second phase of the Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawl redevelopment at Worli is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 21 January, and Thursday, 22 January. However, the residents’ association has asked the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to postpone the draw, citing concerns about lack of consultation, preservation of religious structures, and the need to keep community ties intact.
The first phase included handing over possession of 556 newly built flats measuring 500 sq ft each, a major improvement from the original 160 sq ft chawls constructed nearly 100 years ago for migrant workers.
Residents have raised concerns about the planned reshuffling of families from different communities, warning it could break long-standing social connections. Several chawls at Worli are mainly occupied by specific communities, including Muslim, Telugu-speaking, Buddhist, and Maratha families.
Concerns were also expressed about MHADA’s plans to relocate religious structures in the area, with residents noting there has been little discussion on this issue.
A meeting between residents and MHADA officials is scheduled before the lottery draw, after which a decision on whether to proceed will be made.
The redevelopment project involves building 33 buildings to house nearly 9,700 residents. Construction of 14 buildings, each with 40 floors, began in 2021, with two buildings completed so far.
Source: Hindustan Times
