In a major milestone for one of India’s largest urban renewal initiatives, the first batch of 864 eligible residents from the Naigaon BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project will receive the keys to their new homes on March 16, 2026.
The distribution ceremony will take place at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, where Devendra Fadnavis will hand over the apartments to selected beneficiaries.
Among the recipients, 423 homes have been allocated to retired police personnel, their heirs, and serving police staff, recognising their service and ensuring housing security for the community.
Part of India’s Largest Urban Renewal Programme
The redevelopment is being implemented by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority through its Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board as part of the ambitious BDD Chawl redevelopment programme.
The Naigaon project has been renamed “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar BDD Complex.”
Spread across 6.45 hectares, the redevelopment replaces 42 old chawls (G+3 structures) that currently house 3,344 tenants.
The new plan involves 20 rehabilitation towers of 23 floors each, being developed in two phases.
First Phase Near Completion
Under the first phase, redevelopment is underway on Plot B, where 1,401 residents will be rehabilitated.
Out of the 8 planned rehabilitation towers, 5 towers are ready, enabling the distribution of 864 flats in the initial stage.
The remaining 537 flats are in the final construction phase and are expected to be completed by April 2026.
During the redevelopment process, residents were shifted to transit camps, with the option to either stay in temporary accommodation or receive rent compensation. Tenants and commercial occupants were provided ₹25,000 per month as advance rent for 11 months.
From 160 sq ft Rooms to Modern 2BHK Apartments
For many families that have lived in 160 sq ft chawl rooms for two to three generations, the redevelopment marks a transformative upgrade.
Eligible residents are being allotted 500 sq ft carpet area 2BHK apartments free of cost under ownership rights.
The new apartments come with modern features such as:
- Vitrified flooring tiles
- Aluminium-framed windows
- Granite kitchen platforms
- Branded plumbing fittings
- Fire safety systems
- Earthquake-resistant construction
Each building includes two passenger lifts and one fire lift, while CCTV cameras are installed on every floor for security.
The complex also includes three-level basement parking, stilt areas, and wider staircases.
Integrated Community Infrastructure
The redevelopment is designed as a self-sustained residential ecosystem.
Planned amenities include:
- A dedicated school building
- Welfare centre
- Sewage treatment facilities
- Solar energy systems
- Rainwater harvesting infrastructure
MHADA will also maintain common amenities in the rehabilitation buildings for 12 years, ensuring long-term upkeep of the facilities.
Live Telecast for Residents
To ensure transparency and accessibility, MHADA will live stream the housing distribution ceremony on its official YouTube and Facebook channels.
For elderly beneficiaries and residents who cannot attend the event in Mumbai, a special viewing pavilion for around 500 people will be set up at the Naigaon project site, where the ceremony will be broadcast live on large LED screens.
Massive BDD Chawl Redevelopment Across Mumbai
The BDD Chawl redevelopment project, covering Worli, NM Joshi Marg (Parel), and Naigaon, is among the largest urban renewal projects in India.
Overall, the initiative spans about 86 acres and aims to rehabilitate 15,593 residents living in 195 old chawls.
Project components include:
- Worli: 9,689 units across 34 rehabilitation towers
- NM Joshi Marg–Parel: 2,560 residential and commercial units across 14 towers
- Naigaon: 3,344 units across 20 towers
Earlier, in August 2025, 556 flats were distributed to residents in the Worli BDD Chawl redevelopment.
With the Naigaon allotments, the state government continues to advance one of Mumbai’s most ambitious efforts to transform historic chawl clusters into modern residential communities.
Also Read: Naigaon BDD May See Fresh Tenders
