Mumbai's BDD chawls likely to get 550sq ft rehab flats

[ In what can only be described as a huge lifestyle change, residents of BDD chawls will be able to move from their 160sq ft tenements to approximately 500-550sq ft flats.]

In what can only be described as a huge lifestyle change, residents of BDD chawls will be able to move from their 160sq ft tenements to approximately 500-550sq ft flats. If all goes according to plan, then the city will witness one of its largest cluster redevelopments spread over 92.7 acres at three different sites.

To ensure it gets the best design for its ambitious cluster redevelopment projects at Worli, Naigaum and NM Joshi Marg, the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (Mhada) has even offered a participation fee to some of the city's top architects and architectural schools. "Around a dozen proposals are expected to be submitted on Saturday, the last date for submission," said sources.

Sambhaji Zende-Patil, vice-president, Mhada, said when deciding that the BDD chawls would be redeveloped through the cluster policy, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also directed preparation of a master plan at a meeting held on May 5 this year.

Those participating in the redevelopment not only have to design the buildings but carry out a town-planning exercise to ensure public amenities such as schools, hospitals and open spaces. Since floor space index under the cluster redevelopment scheme is 4, participants have been briefed that the rehab tenements must be approximately 500-550 sq feet.

On October 3, TOI ('Bonanza for Mumbai flat owners under new cluster development policy') had reported how the cluster policy allows a rehab tenement of 506.25 sq feet if the cluster size is a minimum of 2.5 acres to 5 acres. If the cluster size increases then the incentive also goes up. But there have been few takers for this scheme.

Besides, rehabilitating existing tenants, the scheme will be used largely to create affordable housing for the economically weaker sections and low income groups. Around 10% of buyers will be middle-income and high-income group.

Zende-Patil said the architects would be given an additional week if required to make their submissions. "These will be then forwarded to the state government for a final decision," he said.

Courtesy : ET