The redevelopment of Worli's BDD chawls is progressing, with around 550 flats near completion. MHADA began work on 14 structures in 2021, with six buildings under construction and two almost finished. Originally slated for completion in 2025, the project could now wrap up by January 2025. While the redevelopment aims to provide modern housing for 9,689 residents, current tenants are facing severe hardships, including health issues, sewage problems, and power outages. Despite these challenges, officials have assured residents that they will be relocated to the new apartments soon, with some already receiving rent assistance during construction.
The redevelopment of Worli's BDD chawls is making strides, with approximately 550 flats nearing completion. A senior official from the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA), who requested to remain anonymous, stated that while they initially planned to hand over the flats by March 2025, they are now optimistic about achieving this by January.
MHADA began construction on 14 structures in Worli's Phase I in 2021. These buildings, each 40 stories tall, are nearing the Police Grounds. Six buildings are currently in various stages of construction, while two are nearly finished. The redevelopment project for the Worli BDD chawls will ultimately consist of 33 buildings designed to house 9,689 residents.
Launched in 2019, the project was originally estimated to cost INR 11,744 crore, but due to cost inflation, the current projected cost is INR 14,000 crore. While the promise of new homes is on the horizon, existing tenants in the chawls are facing significant hardships due to ongoing construction. Residents of BDD Chawls 21 and 29—aided by their proximity to the site—are experiencing severe challenges and are urging priority relocation to the newly completed apartments.
Critical health issues have surfaced, with rising cases of malaria and dengue, exacerbated by the deteriorating sewage system. Sewage flows into stormwater drains, creating a continuous foul odor, and contaminated water has been supplied over the past year due to faulty pipelines running alongside open gutters. Residents describe the situation as the worst it has ever been, citing problems such as collapsed slabs, broken tiles, and frequent electricity outages lasting up to seven hours daily.
Despite multiple appeals to MHADA and the Public Works Department (PWD) for assistance, residents have yet to see any resolutions. On September 23, locals met with Byculla MLA Yamini Jadhav and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, the son of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, to demand priority relocation to the soon-to-be-completed new buildings.
Officials indicated that residents had not raised complaints during the three years of development. While some issues did arise, they were quickly addressed. Now, with the sight of completed buildings, residents are pushing for priority relocation. Officials clarified that there is no need to evacuate chawls 21 to 29, as the land they occupy, which includes police quarters, has been designated for a recreation area.
Residents from these chawls will move directly into the new apartments, as that development will be completed last. In contrast, officials indicated that residents from Chawls 61 to 82 must vacate to allow for the subsequent phase of construction. Currently, 600 Worli residents are receiving monthly rent assistance of INR 25,000, while 1,000 households have already moved to transit camps.
Phase I of the Naigaum BDD redevelopment, overseen by MHADA officials, involves constructing eight 23-story buildings. A senior official noted that by December 2025, 1,401 residents will be relocated to these new structures. The overall redevelopment plan for Naigaum includes renovating 3,344 residential units and 55 retail establishments. As the project progresses, stakeholders hope to address these pressing challenges while ensuring that the benefits of redevelopment reach all affected residents, paving the way for a brighter future in Worli.
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