Current Affairs

Issue

The redevelopment of Bombay Development Department (BDD) chawls in Mumbai has been undertaken by the government of Maharashtra.

 

Details

• Chaal or chawl means passage or corridor in local Marathi language. They are dwelling consisting of one or two units.

• They are not independent houses and rather share common sanitary facilities with others. They may be one floored, five floored or less.

• Residents of one floor may share same bathrooms or the whole chawl may have a common washing place at an adjoining area.

 

Construction of BDD chawls

• The British Government has established Bombay Development Department (BDD) in 1920 for constructing cheap accommodation.

• This was done to facilitate renting and staying of large migrant worker population coming to Bombay to work in docks and mills.

 

Reasons for redevelopment

• The structures are in very bad condition due to their age. Residents have been demanding that they be upgraded.

• Under the new plans, residents staying in 150 sq ft houses will get 500 sq ft houses in new redevelopment projects.

• The project would be funded by utilizing only 68% of the land for redevelopment and the rest would be sold to builders in open market to get revenue.

• Group of companies including Tata Projects and Capacite Infraprojects would be constructing a 40 storey building for residents within the next three years.

 

Significance

• The project is set up in areas which are considered the traditional strongholds of Shiv Sena, the leader of the ruling alliance in the state.

• The move will consolidate the voter base of the party ahead of the upcoming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.