Residents of the ageing Daginawala Mansion in Mahim are facing renewed uncertainty after Mhada proposed cancelling the redevelopment No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted for the property nearly eight years ago. While many occupants acknowledge the lack of progress by the appointed developer, they fear that revoking the NOC could significantly delay redevelopment and force them to restart the process from scratch.
Located opposite Mahim railway station, the over 90-year-old building was granted a redevelopment NOC in 2017 after Reshma Construction was selected to undertake the project. The property originally housed 96 tenants. Residents claim that despite securing redevelopment rights, the developer failed to begin construction or maintain communication, leaving families in an increasingly unsafe structure.
Last month, a deputy engineer from Mhada’s G-North Division recommended that the redevelopment NOC be revoked due to prolonged inaction on the project.
For many residents, the proposal has created more concern than relief. “I woke up one morning five months ago to find a portion of my ceiling lying on the floor,” said 70-year-old resident Jayant Gawde. “But that wasn’t shocking anymore. This has become our life. Every few days some part of the building falls. We have learnt to live with fear.”
Of the original 96 tenants, nearly 60 families continue to reside in the building, while others have moved out citing safety concerns.
Residents insist they want redevelopment to proceed rather than be restarted. “We do not want the redevelopment process to start all over again,” said Neeta Ranawat, 50. “We only want the developer to start the work. Instead of spending time cancelling the NOC, the authorities should ensure that the developer fulfils its responsibility. We want redevelopment, nothing more and nothing less.”
A senior Mhada official said a hearing will be conducted before any final decision is taken. “We arrived at this proposal because there has been no progress on redevelopment and the building is living on borrowed time,” the official said.
According to Mhada, the structure remains in a highly dilapidated condition despite previous directives issued to the developer to safeguard the premises. Representatives of Reshma Construction declined to comment on the matter.
Source: Hindustan Times
