Residents of a nearly century-old chawl in Mahim West are once again raising safety concerns after a portion of the first-floor passage collapsed on Saturday, highlighting the deteriorating condition of the structure and the prolonged delay in its redevelopment.
The incident occurred at Daginawala Chawl, located opposite Mahim railway station. The building, which is around 90 years old, consists of four wings, with shops on the ground floor and residential units above. Of the original 96 tenants, only about 60 families continue to reside there, as several have vacated the premises over the years due to safety concerns.
Residents described the situation as increasingly precarious, with repeated structural failures reported over the past several years. The chawl had been officially declared dilapidated, and a no-objection certificate for redevelopment was issued in 2017. However, despite the project being assigned to Reshma Construction, occupants claim there has been little to no progress.
Over the last seven years, multiple incidents of collapsing ceilings and weakened structures have been reported, with residents estimating at least a dozen such occurrences. One resident recounted a ceiling collapse in his home just three months ago, after which temporary support measures were installed.
Others pointed to visible signs of structural distress, including exposed reinforcement rods, cracked slabs, and unstable sections supported by makeshift arrangements. One such example includes a toilet block on the first floor being partially supported by a tree, raising fears of a larger collapse if the support is removed.
Residents said the prolonged delay in redevelopment has forced them to continue living in unsafe conditions, with many describing everyday activities as risky. While the developer cited earlier delays due to pending environmental clearances for the site, officials indicated that approvals have now been secured and redevelopment work is expected to commence within the next two months.
Source: Hindustan Times
