Residents of the redeveloped Naigaon BDD Chawl complex in Mumbai were reportedly handed over their new homes before an adequate water supply arrangement was in place, documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have revealed. The records indicate shortcomings in the process of securing a reliable pipeline connection for the eight-building residential complex.
On March 16, 2026, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis handed over keys to 864 families during an official ceremony. However, records from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Hydraulic Engineering Department indicate that MHADA’s water connection application was still pending at the time.
Following repeated complaints and protests, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) started supplying water through tankers in the final week of July.
Water Infrastructure Shortcomings Exposed
The redevelopment project is among Maharashtra’s major rehabilitation initiatives, replacing 160-sq-ft rooms in ageing chawls with 500-sq-ft apartments. Under its first phase, 1,401 families are being accommodated across the new buildings.
RTI records dated March 20 revealed that only two underground storage tanks had been constructed for the entire complex, with each serving four towers.
Residents also raised concerns about inadequate pressure in the existing 150-mm water pipeline along Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Road. The BMC had recommended an alternative connection through Govindji Keni Marg for towers 1 to 4.
A civic official said the existing pipeline was old and already supplied several neighbourhoods, making a separate internal water main necessary. However, two connections were reportedly established directly from the low-pressure pipeline in May and June.
Daily Water Shortfall Affects Residents
According to Mhada’s submitted estimates, the complex requires 643,000 litres of water daily. Actual supply reportedly ranged between 400,000 and 450,000 litres, occasionally dropping to 300,000 litres during regional supply cuts. This resulted in a substantial daily deficit.
“The documents of water connection application by Mhada points to gross negligence and a failure to comply with key conditions of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the HE department for phase 1,” said Vishal Mohite, a member of the ad hoc housing committee.
Mhada Rejects Allegations
Mhada maintained that the necessary 100-mm connections were secured before possession was handed over.
“The keys of 864 tenements in towers 4 to 8 were handed over in the presence of the chief minister on March 16 after completion of the water connections and cleaning and chlorination of the water storage tanks. Subsequently, the remaining 537 tenements were handed over from June onwards. Presently, all 1,401 tenements are receiving water through two sanctioned 100 mm BMC connections. Hence, the allegation that possession was handed over without securing water connections is factually incorrect,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
Another MHADA official acknowledged the shortage and said efforts were underway to address the problem.
Source: Hindustan Times
