Worli Koliwada one of the seven islands that were merged to make today’s Mumbai, is all set for redevelopment.
By Varun Singh
Worli Koliwada home to 2,200 residents, who are the legal heirs of the original 457 kolis, and another 9,500 tenants looks all prepared for the redevelopment.
Koliwada spread over 65 acres of land came out with a public notice on Wednesday which was meant for title investigation of the land where the Koliwada is situated.
The notice read Worli Koliwada Owners Community Welfare Co-Operative Society Ltd, a society registered under the provisions of Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 represented by 457 owners of the land within Worli Koliwada, the entire land is inclusive of Owner’s land, land pertaining to Navy and Coast Guard, Foreshore land, Open and enclosed drainage, authorised and unauthorised slums, heritage buffer area, social and public infrastructure standing thereon which are not explicitly mentioned are collectively referred to as the said property.
The notice further reads, Worli Koliwada Owners Community Welfare Cooperative Society ltd represented by majority of its owners are in the process of concluding the negotiations for the grand of the development right to MDM realty group as the potential developer for the redevelopment of the property.
When contacted Prahlad Worlikar, Secretary of the Society, he confirmed that the notice was issued and it was for land title investigation. He further confirmed that negotiations for the redevelopment are going on with MDM realty group.
However, many residents of Worli Koliwada were unaware, one of the resident said that they have been hearing about redevelopment for quite some time but wasn’t aware about any such public notice being issued. Most residents are happy with the news, but expect that they be rehabilitated in a proper manner.
A few years ago according to a report by this reporter for DNA Newspaper, the Kolis had prepared a plan for the redevelopment of the koliwada. The plan proposes high rises with 1,000-sq ft homes, or 3BHKs, for original residents and 400 sq ft flats for tenants. It base of the redevelopment was on Development Control Rule 33 (9), which will allow them to get an FSI of 4 where, currently, they get 1.5 to 2. The Kolis had also planned a sea-facing mall, which they would lease out to generate revenue.
However, when asked Prahlad Worlikar whether the same plan is being implemented, he said, “Currently we are only negotiating with the developer, nothing else has been finalised, this notice is only for land title investigation, any thing else will be decided by taking a sabha by seeking everyone’s consent.”
Everyone in Koliwada wants an upgrade, whether for their houses, approach roads or other amenities. The bylanes are so cramped that one cannot expect to take a four wheeler inside during day time. Water gets accumulated during monsoon and many other issues, The homes for many are too small as family grew and the expectation is that redevelopment will change the face of Koliwada and also solve the problems that they face.
Also Read: Worli Flat Sold For ₹51 Crore
