640 Families Set to Return to Redeveloped Patra Chawl, Siddharth Nagar, Goregaon West After 15-Year Wait

Mumbai: Over 15 years after vacating their homes with the promise of upgraded accommodations, 640 out of 672 families from Patra Chawl in Goregaon West are preparing to return to their redeveloped residences.

A Redevelopment Mired in Controversy

Patra Chawl, located in Siddharth Nagar within a 47-acre Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) layout, became the center of a major land scam and political disputes. The redevelopment project led to MHADA’s land being transferred to nine different developers without proper authorization.

Guru Ashish Construction (GAC), a subsidiary of HDIL, was assigned as the primary developer for the project. However, the firm took a loan of Rs 6,700 crore from PMC Cooperative Bank, a significant portion of which—amounting to Rs 2,700 crore—was reportedly laundered, contributing to the bank’s eventual collapse.

Unauthorized Land Transfers and Financial Irregularities

GAC allegedly sold MHADA’s land to nine developers for Rs 901.79 crore without obtaining the necessary approvals. In addition, the company launched a real estate project named Meadows, securing advance bookings worth approximately Rs 138 crore from homebuyers.

Investigations revealed that the total misappropriated funds were estimated at Rs 1,039.79 crore.

Government Intervention and the Road to Redevelopment

In 2021, the then-Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government intervened, directing MHADA to take over the redevelopment process. The decision aimed to ensure the rightful handover of new apartments to displaced Patra Chawl tenants, along with 306 buyers who had secured flats in the project through official allotments.

Each tenant is set to receive a 650 sq ft carpet area flat, complemented by a 117 sq ft balcony.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming

Patra Chawl CHS Chairman Rajesh Dalwi expressed the residents’ collective sentiment, stating that after years of struggle, their primary goal was to reclaim their homes. He confirmed that 640 families would be allotted apartments, while a few cases remained pending due to ongoing disputes. A special general body meeting is scheduled for February 23, during which lots will be drawn to finalize the allocation of flats.

A ceremonial function to hand over the keys is expected towards the end of the month, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde likely to attend the event.

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