557 eligible residents of Naigaon No. M. Joshi Marg BDD Chawl redevelopment project to receive ownership flats
Mumbai, November 2026: The state government is working to ensure that original residents of Mumbai and people who have lived in the city for a long time receive bigger, more spacious homes with ownership rights in the same locality through redevelopment projects, including the BDD Chawls. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government was satisfied that it was providing homes to people who have preserved Mumbai’s culture and would not allow the city’s original residents to be driven out of Mumbai.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis distributed keys to 557 eligible residents of three rehabilitation buildings completed in the first phase of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) BDD Chawl redevelopment project at N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.
At a programme held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries symbolically handed over keys and possession letters to 11 residents.
Fadnavis said the government’s decision to undertake the redevelopment of BDD Chawls through MHADA instead of private developers had helped turn this project, one of the largest urban renewal initiatives in Asia, into reality. The government’s objective was not to earn profits but to provide quality homes and maximum facilities to residents who had helped preserve Mumbai’s distinctive chawl culture.
The BDD Chawls have witnessed several important phases of history, including the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and various social, economic, cultural and labour movements in Mumbai. They also have a rich historical legacy, with Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Lokmanya Tilak having lived there.
The redevelopment issue had remained pending for several years. Although proposals had been received from several developers, the scale and complexity of the project had prevented it from progressing at the desired pace. Realising that it would be difficult to complete the project by relying solely on private developers, the government decided to appoint MHADA as the developer. Redevelopment work began in 2017-18 following this decision. Although some obstacles arose along the way, the project was revived and accelerated without allowing the work to come to a halt, Fadnavis said.
For years, several families in the BDD Chawls had been living with two or three generations in houses measuring around 160 square feet and lacking basic amenities. The government decided to provide these residents with 500-square-foot homes equipped with all necessary facilities.
The new flats include a living room, two bedrooms and other essential amenities. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that these homes would provide a secure foundation for the future generations of residents as well.
The decision to provide homes for Rs 15 lakh to eligible police personnel who had been living in BDD Chawls before 2011 will remain unchanged. The government has also decided to provide homes at construction cost, as a special case, to certain police personnel who do not qualify because of the 2011 cut-off date. Fadnavis said a meeting would be convened to resolve discrepancies in pricing and other difficulties arising during the implementation of this decision.
Do Not Sell the New Homes; Preserve Them for Future Generations
After receiving the keys to their new homes, residents should consider them family assets and preserve them, the Chief Minister said. He urged them to regard the new flats as a legacy for their families and not sell them even if they receive attractive offers. Instead, they should preserve the homes for the next two or three generations.
Redevelopment Projects Must Be Completed on Time and with Quality: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde directed the concerned agencies to complete the BDD Chawl redevelopment project on schedule and maintain high standards of quality.
There would be no compromise on the quality of rehabilitation flats or the facilities provided to residents. He said instructions had been issued to ensure that these homes were as well-built and equipped with amenities as premium flats constructed for sale.
Shinde said cluster redevelopment provides residents not merely with homes but also with neighbourhoods equipped with comprehensive facilities. Such projects offer open spaces, gardens, gymnasiums, children's play areas and 23 other types of essential amenities.
The state government would also take steps to withdraw cases registered against young people during the agitation for the N. M. Joshi Marg BDD Chawl redevelopment project.
He said ordinary citizens were at the centre of the government's development policy and that MHADA and other government agencies should complete projects on time to strengthen public confidence.
Necessary changes had been made to the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations to accelerate stalled projects of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and MHADA, with the objective of making Mumbai slum-free. Several redevelopment projects had remained stalled for years. The government had taken an active role in implementing these projects and was also working to ensure that residents received their homes along with pending rent payments, Shinde said.
To provide Mumbai residents with open spaces and quality public amenities, the government has planned to develop a world-class public garden spread across nearly 300 acres. This will include 125 acres of the Racecourse land and around 150 acres along the Coastal Road.
The government is focused on Mumbai's comprehensive development by maintaining a balance between urban infrastructure, housing and open spaces, he said.
Shinde also said the government stood firmly with farmers facing drought and appealed to citizens to extend support in whatever way they could to help them overcome the crisis.
Moving into New Homes During Diwali Is a Double Celebration for BDD Residents: Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the day would remain memorable for the 557 families throughout their lives. Receiving ownership of their new homes during the festive period of Dhanteras and Diwali was a moment of double happiness for the residents.
She also recalled the participation of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in last year's BDD Chawl key-distribution programme.
She said Mumbai's development must take into account the overall quality of life of workers, labourers, the middle class, police personnel and ordinary citizens who had contributed to building the city.
Sunetra Pawar urged families moving into their new homes to pay special attention to their children's education and health, particularly the education of girls.
The BDD Chawls have a significant history associated with Mumbai's social, cultural and labour movements. People from different linguistic, regional and cultural backgrounds have lived together in these chawls, preserving the city's social fabric.
She expressed the hope that residents would preserve this legacy in the new buildings as well. Although the buildings may change, the warmth, mutual cooperation, tradition of celebrating festivals together and spirit of humanity associated with chawl culture should continue.
Infrastructure Facilities in Worli Should Be Accelerated: Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir
Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for accelerating the BDD Chawl redevelopment project.
He said the project had become MHADA's flagship initiative and had helped remove public doubts about the quality of construction undertaken by the authority. It had also brought about a positive change in people's perception of MHADA and could serve as a model for the redevelopment of Kamathipura and Umerkhadi.
Ahir said the growing population in the Worli area was putting pressure on water supply and road infrastructure, and called for faster development of these facilities.
He suggested constructing a flyover connecting the Famous Studios area to N. M. Joshi Marg. This would save Worli residents from having to take a detour via Saat Rasta and Arthur Road Naka.
He requested the government to secure the necessary support from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the proposal. He also urged the authorities to give priority to resolving issues related to water supply, roads and other civic amenities in the inner areas of Worli.
Electronics, Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar, Minister of State for Housing Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, MLA Sunil Shinde, MLA Manisha Kayande, Shaina NC, MHADA Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board Chief Officer Milind Shambharkar and Mumbai MHADA Chief Officer Milind Borikar were among those present.
Jaiswal delivered the introductory remarks and provided details of the redevelopment project, while Borikar proposed the vote of thanks.
