556 BDD Flats in Worli Ready as CM Fadnavis Prepares July 21 Handover Ceremony

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that he will distribute keys to the first batch of residents for redeveloped BDD flats in Worli on July 21, immediately following the conclusion of the legislative session. Officials have confirmed that a ceremony has been organized for this key distribution event.

556 Flats Ready for Immediate Handover

Milind Borikar, Chief Officer of the Mumbai Board at Mhada, has stated that 556 flats with 500 square feet of carpet area each are ready for distribution in this initial phase. The official mentioned that they anticipate receiving a total of 3,989 flats across three sites by the end of the current year.

Contractor Faces Penalties Amid Delays

Mhada, the agency supervising the BDD chawls redevelopment, has issued a formal notice to TCC Construction Company, the project contractor, regarding completion delays. The notice, dated July 2, imposes penalties totaling ₹13 crore, which includes escalation charges, penalties, and unliquidated damages.

Building Infrastructure and Approvals

The 556 tenants will move into the D and E wings of Building No. 1, which features 40 storeys. A source confirmed that the buildings have already secured their fire NOC, with water and electricity connections established. The proposal for an occupation certificate is expected to receive approval in the near future. Similar luxury developments in Worli have shown the area's growing real estate significance.

Transit Accommodation Period Concludes

The beneficiaries of this first batch were previously housed in transit flats owned by Mhada at Srinivas and Century Mills in Parel. They will now be permanently rehabilitated in the newly completed accommodation. The building comprises eight wings, with each wing offering 40 storeys of residential space.

Construction Timeline Challenges

However, construction work has experienced delays ranging from two to 11 months across different wings. The D and E wings, originally scheduled for handover in July 2024, are now set to be handed over on July 31. Other wings including B, C, F, and G have faced nine-month delays each, while wings A and H experienced two-month delays. Mhada has received a response from the contractor and will review the details before making their final decision.

Political Timing and Electoral Considerations

With the BMC elections expected later this year or early next year, the Mahayuti government aims to ensure maximum rehabilitation of residents - many of whom are Marathi-speaking - in their new flats before the elections. This initiative aligns with broader Mumbai infrastructure developments that are reshaping the city's landscape.

The BDD redevelopment project represents one of the largest urban renewal initiatives in Mumbai, similar to other major redevelopment projects like the Adani-led Dharavi redevelopment project that is transforming urban housing across the city.