For close to 100 years, the working middle class has called the BDD Chawls in Mumbai's central region their home. People working in the mills and other industrial units nearby, settled down there with their families. In most of the homes, the residents have been there for three generations. Built by the Bombay Block Directorate, the 195 BDD chawls spread over Lower Parel, Naigaon, and Worli are soon to see a major revamp, as they are set for redevelopment. Only last week, the redevelopment's nodal agency MHADA, assigned a contractor for the third and biggest node in Worli. The other two nodes were assigned contractors earlier.
BDD Chawl's redevelopment was stuck for a long time. While some blamed it on the lack of political will, the others pointed at people's reluctance in taking up the project. However, things have now started moving in the right direction. The sample flats are already in place, and people are now hopeful that their dream of moving from a 160 sq-ft single room apartment to a 500 sq ft 2-BHK flat will soon churn into reality.
BDD chawl residents will be getting the biggest homes under any redevelopment scheme that is in existence right now in the city. The total number of tenants in the three locations is 15,593. The redevelopment will require an expenditure of more than Rs 16,000 crore. There is a total of 195 chawls in the three locations, and after redevelopment every tenant will get a 500-sq ft flat.
Once redeveloped, the existent buildings will be replaced by a skyscraper, changing the whole demographic of Mumbai. The tallest tower to be constructed will be a 67-storey building in Worli, while in Naigaon and Lower Parel, the buildings will be up to 22-storey high.
The chawls that once represented the middle class of the city, will now become posh buildings, where each apartment will cost above Rs 2 crore. After the redevelopment work is complete, MHADA expects to sell off a substantial number of homes via lottery at affordable rates.
IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
Built by: Bombay Development Directorate (BDD)
195
BDD chawls spread across Lower Parel, Naigaon, and Worli.
92 acre
The area covered by the BDD chawls.
15,593
The number of tenants, mostly middle-class workers.
Rs 16K cr +
Total estimated expenditure for the redevelopment.
160 sq ft
Current size of the apartments in the BDD chawls.
500 sq ft
The area promised by the government to every tenant after redevelopment.
10,907
Number of people who visited the sample flat in NM Joshi Marg.
8,040
Number of people who visited the sample flat in Naigaon.
HOW THE STORY UNFOLDS
- BDD chawls were constructed post 1920.
- The redevelopment process began in early 2004.
- Was stuck for a long time owing to the lack of political will.
- Saw some progress in 2014.
- Sample flats in Naigaon and Lower Parel were made ready by February 2014.
- Residents will be getting the biggest house under any redevelopment scheme in the city so far.
- Population comprises Maharashtrians, Telegu-speaking community, north Indians, and Gujaratis.
THE BDD SITES
NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel
Chawls: 32
Tenants: 2,560
Fund required:
Rs 2,460 cr+
Tender awarded to: Shapoorij Pallonji
Naigaon
Chawls: 42
Tenants: 9,869
Fund required: Rs 2,800 cr+
Tender awarded to: Larsen &Toubro
Worli
Chawls: 121
Tenants: 9,689
Fund required: Rs 10,700 cr
Tender awarded to: Tata Capacite
