BDD revamp: Maharashtra to extend cutoff date for tenants

The revamp of Bombay Development Department (BDD) chawls may get a boost as the state government is mulling to extend the eligibility date to April 22, 2017.

The revamp of Bombay Development Department (BDD) chawls may get a boost as the state government is mulling to extend the eligibility date to April 22, 2017, which will help regularise 2,856 tenants.

The move will help regularise 2,856 tenants. (HT file photo)

The ambitious BDD redevelopment scheme spread across 92.86 acres in Central Mumbai has been facing huge resistance from the ineligible tenants. The tenants had purchased houses after 1996, which is the cutoff date.

The government is planning to extend it to April 22, 2017 — the day the bhoomipujan for the project was performed.

According to state minister for housing Ravindra Waikar, the decision to regularise them is being planned to give relief to the residents. “It would be unjust to deprive them of houses as they had purchased using their hard-earned money. The step will ensure that the project progresses smoothly,” said Waikar.

However, the residents will have to pay Rs10,000 for residential and Rs20,000 for commercial establishments as transfer fees.

The state government has given the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) the mandate to act as the nodal agency and execute the project. Mhada has already selected well-known contractors such as Shapoorji Pallonji and Larsen & Toubro for the project.

Some residents have termed the announcement an eyewash. “The state has no right to declare anyone ineligible since we are living in chawls, paying rent and are not encroachers. Our main demand is that the state needs to execute a developmental agreement with us instead of thrusting the redevelopment on us,” said Raju Waghmare, who heads the residents’ association.