Keys to be handed over on April 7: After 15-year wait, Patra Chawl residents finally allotted homes in MHADA lottery
The redevelopment of the chawl had been stalled since 2014, when the original developer stopped construction midway and eventually went bankrupt.
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Tenants, who had vacated their homes as early as 2009, were left without rent or certainty. (File photo)For over a decade, the residents of Siddharth Nagar, also known as Patra Chawl in Goregaon West have lived in uncertainty –- displaced by a redevelopment project that had all but collapsed. On Friday, that long wait finally ended as the Mumbai Board of MHADA conducted a computerised lottery to allot rehabilitation homes to 663 eligible members.
Held at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hall, the draw was executed using MHADA’s RAT (Randomized Allotment of Tenement) system, assigning building numbers, wings and floor details in a transparent, tech-driven process. The residents are set to receive the keys for their homes on Monday, April 7.
“This was a long-pending matter, and completing it meant delivering on something that had remained unresolved for years,” said Milind Borikar, Chief Officer, Mumbai Board, MHADA. “The allotment process was conducted with full transparency and administrative supervision. For the residents, it brings closure. For the housing board, it reinforces the role we are expected to play in such situations.”
The redevelopment of the chawl had been stalled since 2014, when the original developer stopped construction midway and eventually went bankrupt. Tenants, who had vacated their homes as early as 2009, were left without rent or certainty.
The matter entered legal disputes, including proceedings before the NCLT, before MHADA stepped in and cancelled the developer’s agreement in 2018. A new contractor, Relcon, was appointed in 2022 to complete the remaining work at an estimated cost of Rs 320 crore.
The project finally received its Occupancy Certificate (OC) on April 1, 2025. All 663 beneficiaries will begin receiving their keys and possession letters from April 7 at MHADA’s Bandra office.
“One clear lesson is the need for closer coordination at every stage. We now apply stricter checks before approvals are granted and monitor the progress more actively once work begins.
The aim is to reduce delays and avoid uncertainty for the beneficiaries,” Borikar said, reflecting on the turbulent history.
Apart from housing units, MHADA has also planned amenities such as solar power installations and a gym facility. Despite the mandated 412 parking slots, 686 have been arranged—ensuring one per home.
Possession has started, but rent compensation of Rs 25,000 per month will continue until May. MHADA has disbursed over Rs 129 crore in rent since 2018, providing some relief during the years of delay.
The full list of lottery results will be available on MHADA’s website after 6 pm and keys will be handed over starting Monday.
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