For 557 families from Lower Parel’s N.M. Joshi Marg BDD Chawls, years of waiting for a permanent home are set to end this week. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will hand over keys to their new 500 sq ft 2BHK flats on November 6. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will distribute the homes at a ceremony at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Nariman Point at noon, with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar expected to attend.
From 160 Sq Ft Chawl Rooms to 500 Sq Ft Homes
The redevelopment project covers 32 existing chawls spread across 13.49 acres at N.M. Joshi Marg, where residents have lived for generations in rooms measuring around 160 sq ft. Under the rehabilitation scheme, eligible residents will receive 500 sq ft carpet-area 2BHK flats free of cost, with ownership rights.
The first phase of the project, being implemented by MHADA’s Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board, includes seven rehabilitation wings and a hospital building. Construction of three wings, comprising 557 flats, has been completed and these homes are now ready for handover.
The remaining four wings, comprising another 684 flats, are in the final stages of construction. The overall project will have 14 rehabilitation wings across two phases, accommodating 2,560 residential and non-residential occupants.
New Buildings to Include Modern Facilities
The newly constructed 22-storey buildings have been designed with earthquake-resistant features and modern amenities. These include vitrified flooring, aluminium-frame windows, granite kitchen platforms, branded plumbing fittings and fire-fighting systems.
The buildings also have two passenger lifts and one fire lift, CCTV surveillance on every floor, three-level basement parking, a stilt area and a podium.
MHADA has reserved 65% of the total plot area for rehabilitation. The redeveloped colony is also planned to include a welfare centre, hospital, sewage treatment plant, solar power system and rainwater harvesting facilities. The authority will maintain the common amenities for 12 years.
Eligibility Finalised for 1,200 Tenement Holders
For the second phase, MHADA has finalised the eligibility of 1,200 tenement holders from 15 chawls. Since August 2026, eligible occupants have been receiving advance transit rent of Rs 30,000 per month for 11 months.
MHADA Makes Arrangements for November 6 Ceremony
The key distribution programme will be held at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Nariman Point at 12 noon. For beneficiaries unable to attend the main ceremony, MHADA will arrange a live webcast through its official YouTube and Facebook channels under the handle @mhadaofficial.
A special mandap with LED screens and seating for 500 people is also being arranged at the Lower Parel project site, particularly for elderly residents. Entry passes will be available at the site office, and transport will be arranged from the transit camp to the venue. One member from each eligible family will be allowed to attend the main event.
BDD Chawl Redevelopment Covers 15,593 Tenements Across Mumbai
The wider BDD Chawl redevelopment programme covers 195 chawls spread across 86 acres in Worli, N.M. Joshi Marg in Lower Parel and Naigaon. The project aims to rehabilitate a total of 15,593 tenements.
At Worli, 9,689 tenements are being redeveloped across 34 buildings, with 1,975 flats already inaugurated. At Naigaon, 1,401 flats out of the total 3,344 tenements have been handed over.
The November 6 handover at N.M. Joshi Marg will add 557 more homes to the rehabilitation programme, marking an important stage in the redevelopment of Mumbai’s decades-old BDD chawl colonies.
Source: The Free Press Journal
