Residents of Siddharth Nagar, widely known as Patra Chawl in Goregaon, have intensified their protest against the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, launching an indefinite hunger strike over disputed flat possession and redevelopment delays.
The standoff comes after the Bombay High Court set an April 2 deadline for residents to accept newly allotted flats or risk losing them. Several families have refused possession, alleging incomplete, unsafe construction and violations of agreed procedures. Women, senior citizens and youth are part of the ongoing chain hunger strike.
A bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe criticised residents for not executing the Permanent Alternate Accommodation Agreement (PAAA). The court warned that failure to comply would allow MHADA to reallocate the flats for public use and halt transit rent payments from April 1, 2026.
Residents allege prolonged delays and irregularities in the redevelopment process. “Our draft agreement was submitted in December 2022, but work began only in October 2025. After Rs 887 crore in waivers, we are being given substandard homes,” said a resident.
Others raised concerns over the unauthorised construction of 72 shops, alleged financial irregularities of Rs. 200 crore, and forced possession. Residents say they will continue protests and pursue legal action, calling the situation an 18-year-long injustice.
