BDD chawls redevelopment: First set of houses in Worli to be handed over by March

The BDD chawls, constructed between 1920 and 1925 by the British government, were initially designed to house industrial workers and migrants flocking to Mumbai in search of employment. Over the years, the chawls became home to mill workers and low-income families, creating communities that thrived despite limited resources.

Today, Mumbai hosts 207 BDD chawls spread across four key locations: Worli (121 chawls), Naigaon (42 chawls), NM Joshi Marg (32 chawls), and Sewri (12 chawls)—all awaiting redevelopment.

Redevelopment has been a long-standing demand of the residents, as the ageing chawl structures have become increasingly unsafe. In 2017, the Devendra Fadnavis-led government launched a Rs 16,000 crore redevelopment plan. The project promises to provide tenants who currently live in 160 sq ft rooms with new 500 sq ft homes, with the first bhoomipujan ceremony held in April 2017.

The redevelopment model seeks to utilise 68 per cent of the land for the rehabilitation of original tenants, while the remaining land will be allocated to private builders to construct apartments for sale in the open market, helping to fund the project.

MHADA commenced work in Worli, Naigaon, and NM Joshi Marg in August 2021 after overcoming initial resistance from tenants. The Sewri redevelopment will begin once the land is formally transferred from the central government and the Bombay Port Trust.

In order to qualify for rehabilitation, tenants must have legally occupied BDD chawls as of Janu-ary 1, 2021. A competent authority, led by the deputy collector, will verify eligibility and determine qualifications for other structures, such as hutments and commercial units on BDD premises.

Eligible tenants will receive ownership of a 500 sq ft, two bedroom apartment in the newly constructed buildings, while slum dwellers in the area will be rehoused under the Slum Act. These residents will be allocated 300-sq-ft units for residential purposes, as well as equivalent commercial space for business owners.

The first batch of rehabilitated homes, located in the newly constructed wings D and E of Building No 1 in Worli, will be handed over to tenants in early 2025. These 556 homes, each offering 500 sq ft of carpet area, are a far cry from the 160 sq ft tenements many families have shared for generations.

The Worli redevelopment project is being executed in two phases. Phase 1 includes the rehabilitation of 5,198 residential units and the development of a massive 180,000 sq m commercial complex. Additionally, MHADA plans to offer 1,860 middle-income group (MIG) and 1,036 higher-income group (HIG) apartments through a housing lottery system.

The entire redevelopment project in Worli is valued at Rs 22,901.25 crore, with Phase 2 bringing an additional 3,974 rehabilitation units, alongside 2,184 sale tenements (1,494 for MIG and 1,036 for HIG). The project aims to create a self-sustained community, complete with schools, hospitals, and recreational spaces, ensuring that residents enjoy a higher quality of life.

The scale of the redevelopment is massive, with nearly Rs 20,000 crore dedicated to rehabilitating existing tenants alone. Sanjeev Jaiswal, vice-president and CEO, MHADA, also stressed the broader urban renewal vision of the project.

While Worli is leading the way, other BDD chawls in Mumbai are also seeing substantial progress. In Naigaon, phase 1 work for 1,401 rehabilitation units is underway, with completion expected by March 2026. In NM Joshi Marg, 10 chawls have already been demolished and the construction of seven new towers is in progress. In Sewri, the redevelopment will begin once the land transfer process from the central government is complete.

“The redevelopment of BDD chawls is not just about new buildings. It is about uplifting the quality of life for over 15,500 families. With modern homes offering greater space and amenities, this initiative is a game-changer for the city’s housing landscape,” Jaiswal said.