In a major step toward improving housing conditions in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has delivered 864 newly constructed flats to eligible residents under the Naigaon BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project.

The redevelopment initiative is being carried forward under the administrative leadership of IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of MHADA, as part of a broader effort to modernise aging chawl settlements in the city.

The keys to the new homes were distributed by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking an important milestone in the redevelopment of the historic Bombay Development Directorate Chawls.

Redevelopment To Benefit Thousands Of Families

The flats handed over form part of the first phase of redevelopment at Naigaon, where several decades-old chawl structures are being replaced by modern high-rise residential buildings.

Overall, the project aims to rehabilitate around 15,000 families by 2029, many of whom have been living in compact 160 sq ft rooms for generations. Under the rehabilitation policy, eligible residents will receive 500 sq ft 2BHK apartments, significantly improving living standards and space availability.

Historic Housing Being Transformed

The BDD chawls were originally constructed in the 1920s during the British era to provide affordable housing in Mumbai. Over time, these chawls became home to thousands of working-class families across different parts of the city.

Today, more than 200 chawls spread across 37 hectares form part of the BDD housing clusters located in areas such as Worli, NM Joshi Marg, Naigaon, and Sewri. However, the Sewri land falls under the central government and is not included in the state’s redevelopment programme.

Details Of The Naigaon Project

In Naigaon alone, 3,344 tenants currently live in 42 chawl buildings, each consisting of ground floor plus three storeys. These structures occupy approximately 6.45 hectares of land in central Mumbai.

Under the redevelopment plan, 20 rehabilitation towers of 23 storeys each will be constructed in two phases.

During the first phase, 1,401 residents from Plot ‘B’ are being rehabilitated. The handover of 864 flats across five completed towers marks the first major relocation of residents into the new housing complex.

The redeveloped project has been named the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar BDD Complex.

Modern Infrastructure And Facilities

The newly constructed flats include a range of modern amenities designed to improve safety and living comfort.

According to MHADA, the rehabilitation apartments feature vitrified flooring, aluminium-framed windows, granite kitchen countertops, and branded plumbing fixtures. The buildings are also equipped with fire-fighting systems and CCTV surveillance on every floor.

Constructed using earthquake-resistant technology, the towers include two passenger lifts and one fire lift, ensuring improved safety standards.

The complex also provides three-level basement parking, stilt areas, and wider staircases, offering significantly better infrastructure than the earlier chawl buildings.

Focus On Long-Term Urban Renewal

Under the leadership of IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal, MHADA has been accelerating several large-scale housing redevelopment initiatives aimed at transforming outdated residential clusters into modern, well-planned communities.

At the event, Devendra Fadnavis noted that nearly 1,000 acres of land in Mumbai have been opened up for cluster redevelopment, which will help ensure that residents displaced by redevelopment projects can continue to live within the city.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also holds the housing portfolio, stated that MHADA will maintain the buildings for the next 12 years, providing residents with continued support after relocation.

With thousands more families set to benefit in the coming years, the Naigaon BDD redevelopment represents one of the most ambitious housing transformation efforts currently underway in Mumbai.