After more than two decades of waiting, 265 families from old Chikhalwadi in Grant Road have finally received the keys to their redeveloped homes under a cluster redevelopment project. In a celebratory gesture, each household was also gifted a 24-inch colour television to help them settle into their new apartments.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde handed over the keys to residents at a function held on Wednesday. The redevelopment project ended a 25-year-long wait during which 36 developers had previously attempted but failed to complete the work.
The project was ultimately executed by Shripati Developers, the 37th developer to take on the initiative, in partnership with the firm of BJP MLA Parag Shah, Man Infra. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the redevelopment was completed within two years.
Speaking at the event, Shinde highlighted that the cluster redevelopment model played a crucial role in making the project possible. He said the government had approved the scheme and ensured that the incentives provided under it were passed on directly to residents.
As a result, families who earlier lived in cramped 120-square-foot homes have now moved into significantly larger 585-square-foot two-bedroom apartments. The new residential complex also includes amenities such as a gymnasium, a library and a wedding reception hall.
Shinde noted that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had once envisioned providing modern housing for around four million people in Mumbai. He said the government’s approval of cluster redevelopment schemes was part of an effort to fulfil that vision.
According to Shinde, the government is also working to bring back residents who had moved out of Mumbai due to stalled redevelopment projects, and cluster redevelopment initiatives are being encouraged to address this issue.
He added that after assuming charge as housing minister, several major policy decisions had been taken, including the introduction of a new housing policy aimed at providing affordable homes for the working class, labourers, women, senior citizens and Mumbai’s dabbawalas.
At the event, Shinde suggested that residents should receive a gift along with their new homes and asked project developer Satish Chaturvedi to provide televisions for each household. Chaturvedi agreed immediately, announcing that every family would receive a 24-inch colour TV along with their apartment.
The function was attended by several officials and representatives, including Parag Shah, MHADA chairperson Sanjeev Jaiswal, Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board chief officer Milind Shambharkar, Shripati Developers owner Satish Chaturvedi, Old Chikhalwadi Residents’ Association president Surekha Parab and general secretary Chintaman Dalvi.
Source: Hindustan Times
