Mumbai: BDD Chawl Residents Took March To The ‘Varsha’ Bungalow, Demanding Larger Homes And Higher Rent In Housing Redevelopment Project
Parel, 29th August 2023: The residents of Bombay Development Department (BDD) Chawl scheduled a march on Tuesday, August 29, advocating for their demands of receiving more spacious accommodations, specifically houses spanning 700 square feet, instead of the currently slated 500 square feet. Additionally, they are seeking an adjustment in the house rent, aspiring for an increment from Rs 25 thousand to Rs 35 thousand under the ambit of the BDD redevelopment initiative.
The march was commenced today at 11 a.m. from the Jamboree Ground of the BDD to the official residence of the Chief Minister, ‘Varsha’ bungalow.
The three BDD chawls, namely Worli, N. M. Joshi Marg, and Naigaon, are being redeveloped through the Mumbai Board of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). This revitalization of chawls entails the allocation of free-of-cost, 500-square-foot residences to BDD residents. Presently, concerted efforts are underway across the three locations to construct the designated homes.
Amidst the ongoing rehabilitation work, a sudden and resolute demand has emerged from a section of residents, advocating for more spacious 700-square-foot dwellings. Notably, these residents of BDD chawls are being given house rent of Rs. 25,000 per month by MHADA. However, the newly voiced demand calls for an increment in house rent to Rs. 35,000.
Along with these demands, various other demands have been made by the residents to remove the errors in the contract. These demands include addressing contractual discrepancies, securing funding for permanent maintenance expenses, and ensuring the provision of one parking space per residence, etc.
