By Varun Singh

What is the full form of BDD Chawls? What was the main purpose of these BDD chawls? Who constructed it?

There are many questions of which answers many seek, when they hear the word BDD Chawls.

Let’s answer some of them, the full form of BDD chawls is Bombay Development Directorate Chawls. They were originally built as jails for prisoners of the World War. Yes got it right these jails were built by the British.

But to know about the history of BDD soon you may not be dependent on a mere google search.

The reason being that there will be a Cultural Heritage Museum that will built at BDD Worli.

BDD chawls are a synonym to the middle class population’s history of Mumbai, The chawls have a rich history and a culture which can be termed as the melting pot of different identities still thrives in Central Mumbai.

To start with history, lets talk about the presence of BDD chawls in Mumbai. The most important aspect of BDD chawls is, that it is spread over 92 acre of prime land in Mumbai. There are a total of 195 chawls in Worli, Naigaon and NM Joshi Marg. There also exists few BDD chawls in Sewree.

Currently MHADA is redeveloping the BDD chawls in the three locations.

N M Joshi Marg, Lower Parel

• Chawls: 32
• Tenants: 2,560
• Funds: Rs 2,460 crore+
• Tender Won by: Shapoorij Pallonji 

Naigaon

• Chawls: 42
• Tenants: 9,869
• Funds required: Rs2,800+ crore
• Tender won by: L&T

Worli: 

• Chawls: 121
• Tenants: 9,689
• Funds Required: Rs 10,700 crore
• Tender Won by: Tata Capacite 

Also Read: Sneak peak of BDD Worli homes post redevelopment

According to a senior MHADA official associated with the BDD chawl redevelopment, the museum at Worli will showcase the history of the chawls.

Datta Ishwalkar, noted mill union leader of Mumbai says, “The construction of a museum will be a tribute to the working class of the city. From barracks meant from prisoners, the working class made the BDD chawls as their homes.”

BDD chawls came post 1920, and as mentioned it was meant to keep prisoners. However, later, the chawls also was used to keep activists of the freedom struggle.

During the period close to Independence, many workers who came to the city of Mumbai were asked to reside here.

The British would collect rent from them, and after India achieve Independence, the Bombay Development Directorate started collecting rent.

As time passed these chawls became the place where majority of mill workers who would work in central Mumbai started residing.

It’s a melting pot of several cultures, from Maharashtrians who form the majority, to Telugu speaking population and even Gujaratis and other communities reside here.

These buildings were known for its strength. However, with time they have started falling apart.

A few years ago, MHADA was assigned the authority to redevelop the chawls, while the residents who current reside in 160 sq ft homes will get 500 sq ft apartments, the current structures will be part of history.

Also Read: Corona impact: Many BDD tenants ready for transit

“For the future generation to know about BDD chawls and even for the residents, the museum will be a good source,” says Ishwalkar.

According to sources in MHADA, the museum will have pictures, and videos via which one will be able to relish the history of BDD chawls.

A consultant shall be appointed to study, the nitty gritty o the museum and will be built at Worli.

Recently one of the BDD chawl redevelopment at Naigaon was in trouble, after, Larsen & Torubo sent a letter to MHADA wanting to pull out from the redevelopment.

Talks have begun regarding retaining L&T at the Chief Minister Office level though.

Also Read: Has L&T Pulled Out Of Naigaon BDD Redevelopment?

The post From Jail To Homes: History Of BDD Chawls To Be Preserved In A Museum appeared first on Square Feat India.

By Varun Singh

Monday afternoon saw a major announcement in terms of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Railway Station redevelopment.

CSMT station the erstwhile Victoria Terminus is an iconic building in the city and now it is up for major redevelopment with large plans,

A Request for Qualification (RFQ) for redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) (Mumbai) on PPP has been invited by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd (IRSDC).

The key salient features of the CSMT project includes a long term lease-rights for real estate. Upto 99 years for residential or mix use format and 60 years for non-residential formats.

Up to 2.54 lakh square meters of Built up Area (tentative) is allowed for commercial development. Exact built up area allowed shall be known at the RFP stage.

The redevelopment cost of the CSMT station (mandatory cost) including the cost of financing and contingency etc. is Rs 1,642 crore.

Construction cost would be Rs 1,231 crore, refurbishment cost, is pegged at Rs 53 crore, heritage transformation cost is Rs 30 crore, financing cost, Rs 328 crore.

This does not include yard remodeling cost. The redevelopment project duration is 4 years. 40% of the station estate to be developed within 8 years from appointed date.

The investment opportunity for redevelopment is on DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer) basis.

The planning has been done by M/s AREP from France and discussions have been held with various stakeholders on periodic basis. 

The RFQ document is available on http://irsdc.enivida.com/. The Pre Bid Conference is scheduled to take place on September 22, 2020. The Application due date is October 22, 2020.

The eligibility criteria is in terms of financial capacity at the RFQ stage and the net worth / ACI should be Rs 821 cr at the close of preceding financial year.

The two most important features that will make any developer happy includes, that no change in land use is required and no prior environmental clearance is required from Ministry of Environment and Forest.

IRSDC will be a single window for approval of master plan and building plans in consultation with local authorities in terms of power conferred under Section 11 of Railway Act, 1989.

Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) or Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) are also eligible to participate.

All Applicants who meet the qualification criteria shall be eligible to submit price bid at RFP stage, i.e., there is no upper cap for shortlisting of Applicants for RFP stage.

A senior railway officer said, “A redeveloped station building has to function like a city centre rail mall where in addition to a passenger’s transportation needs, his daily needs are also fulfilled, like- Retail, F&B, Entertainment, Souvenir shopping. The aim is that most of his daily needs are catered to by visiting the railway station thus avoiding unnecessary travel within the city.”

About CSMT

Frederick William Stevens was chosen to design the station. At this time in England, the reveal gothic style was in fashion, and married tho Indian traditional architecture it became Indo-Saracenic Style.

The CSMT station is mostly revival gothic style, as St Pancras station in London, which influenced the design.

The architect afterwards built the Municipal Corporation building in the city of Mumbai too.

The station is a classic symmetrical composition with a central dome in masonry visible from afar and is convergence point of three roads that arrive to it, The rail tracks come in to the station which creates the death of the northern and southern wings.

Also Read: Duty Of Builder To Provide Adequate Water To Project

The post CSMT Redevelopment To Have Residential & Commercial Real Estate appeared first on Square Feat India.