The Maharashtra Government has approved the compulsory land acquisition of three severely dilapidated buildings—Taumbawala Building, Deoji Darsi Building, and Zohra Mansion—located on Chhouthi Peer Khan Street, Nagpada. The decision has been taken under the amended provisions of the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Act (MHADA Act), 1976, following the Bombay High Court’s recent directions.
The approval was issued through Government Resolution dated 28 November 2025, by the Housing Department.
Background: Redevelopment Delayed for Over a Decade
The buildings fall under Cadastral Survey Nos. 1458, 1459, and 1460 in Byculla Division, covering several structures (Building Nos. 13–13A, 13B, 15, 17, 19, 21–23, 31–33, 35–37).
The developer had already completed the structural portion of a ground + 20-storey tower, but for nearly 10 years, the redevelopment remained stuck due to:
- Failure to permanently rehouse tenants
- Failure to pay transit rent for the last three years
- Slow progress of internal works
- Accumulating grievances of tenants/occupants
Aggrieved tenants filed Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court. On 1 October 2025, the Court ordered the State to initiate action under the MHADA Act.
Government Moves to Take Over the Project
Following the Court’s instructions, MHADA submitted a proposal to acquire the property and complete the redevelopment. After reviewing the proposal, the State Government has granted approval for compulsory acquisition of the land parcel measuring 1,532.63 sq. m.
Key Government Conditions
The approval is subject to the following major conditions:
1. Disclosure of Third-Party Rights and Liabilities
The developer must provide full financial disclosures regarding:
- Third-party rights
- Loans from banks/financial institutions
- Any other encumbrances
Final approval will be subject to State review of these documents.
2. Action Against the Erring Developer
The government has directed:
- Blacklisting of the developer
- Filing of criminal proceedings for negligence
- Intimation to relevant departments, including BMC
3. Mandatory Compliance with Housing Department Guidelines
MHADA and the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board must obtain additional approvals as per the Housing Department’s guidelines dated 22 August 2023.
The State has also instructed authorities to initiate immediate legal and administrative action to take possession and proceed with redevelopment.
Why This Acquisition Matters
The redevelopment of old and dangerous buildings in Mumbai has been a long-standing challenge. This move reinforces the government’s new amendments to the MHADA Act, empowering authorities to take over stalled and unsafe redevelopment projects and ensure timely rehabilitation of tenants.
With the acquisition approved, MHADA will now move forward to complete the redevelopment and rehouse the long-displaced residents of these Nagpada buildings.
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