The long-pending issue of redeveloping Mumbai’s privately owned non-cessed Pagdi buildings was raised during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Improvements Committee meeting, with members urging the civic body to formulate a policy and recommend it to the Maharashtra government to facilitate redevelopment and safeguard the rights of long-standing tenants.
Committee members expressed concern that thousands of tenants living in ageing Pagdi buildings continue to face uncertainty, with many structures being declared dangerous while redevelopment remains stalled due to inaction by property owners.
BJP corporator Swapna Mhatre said many residents living in unauthorized slums are being declared eligible for rehabilitation housing, while tenants residing in Mumbai’s historic Pagdi buildings continue to struggle for their rightful homes.
She pointed out that several old buildings have been categorised as highly dangerous, but redevelopment has failed to move forward because owners are unwilling to undertake the projects. As a result, financially weaker families are forced to bear the burden of paying rent for alternate accommodation without any certainty of returning to redeveloped homes.
Mhatre urged the BMC to prepare a formal proposal and submit it to the state government to create a policy framework that would enable redevelopment of such private and cessed buildings while ensuring justice for affected tenants.
Supporting the demand, BJP corporator Sandeep Patel alleged that in some cases tenants suffer due to collusion between developers and property owners.
He said redevelopment projects are often delayed deliberately, leaving tenants displaced and avoiding the obligation to provide rental compensation. Patel urged the civic administration to convey its concerns to the state government to expedite stalled redevelopment projects.
Congress corporator Raja Rahebar Khan highlighted that once civic officials inspect old buildings, they recommend structural audits, after which the buildings are classified under categories such as C1, C2 and C2B. He said the time has come for authorities to take a comprehensive policy decision on the redevelopment of such structures.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Visakha Raut said tenants residing in Pagdi buildings are among Mumbai’s original residents and should not be deprived of their housing rights. She urged the Municipal Corporation to formulate a dedicated policy and communicate its recommendations to the state government.
Following the discussion, Improvements Committee Chairperson Sandhya Doshi directed the civic administration to take note of the suggestions made by members and examine the issue for further action.
Source: Prahaar
