BDD Chawl redevelopment: Residents raise concerns over health hazards, construction issues, and infrastructure delays

Newly redeveloped D wing entry of the BDD Chawl in Mumbai’s Worli. PIC/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD

While the handover of the newly redeveloped D and E wings of the BDD Chawl in Mumbai's Worli was marked with enthusiasm on August 14, the reality for residents who have shifted to their new homes has been far from smooth. Health hazards, incomplete construction, infrastructure failures, and unfair electricity billing have left many families frustrated and concerned.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, inaugurated the new housing project and handed over keys to the first 16 families. However, many families have delayed relocating due to festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi or other personal reasons. Some are still waiting to get possession of their homes.

Newly redeveloped D and E wings of the BDD Chawl in Mumbai's Worli. PIC/ MANJEET THAKUR

Health concerns

Residents collectively raised the issue with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), demanding pest control in the area.

Fogging was eventually carried out in some common areas, such as the podium and parking, but only after Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and Tata Projects were informed about it. Residents claim this was a one-time fogging and not enough to combat the growing mosquito problem.

Devanand Dhika (62), a resident of the 40th floor in D Wing, said, "I felt good shifting back, but soon after shifting, I got chikungunya. It's been a month and I'm still unwell. The mosquito menace is terrible. We urge the BMC to take this issue seriously." He moved to his new flat on August 14 with his family of nine.Devanand Dhika (62) and his wife Kalavati Dikha (60) in their new redeveloped home in Mumbai's Worli. PIC/ MANJEET THAKUR

His wife, Kalavati (60), added that the water tank was unclean, causing her entire family, including grandchildren, to fall ill. "We've spent over Rs 1 lakh on medical expenses since the time we moved in. Our children got sick first, then us. Even my son fell ill. We're spending more than what we earn because of these problems," she said. Cleanliness in the buildings is another major concern. Only one cleaning lady comes to collect garbage, but lobbies and lifts are left uncleaned.

The construction of wings A and F is still underway and may take over a year to complete. Similarly, painting, plumbing, electrical, and other finishing works are still pending in wings B, C, and G. The residents who have moved in D and E wings claim that the construction work around is causing serious health concerns.

Faulty infrastructure in redeveloped homes

Residents claim they made several complaints regarding the quality of construction, including water leakage from ceilings and floors, uneven and loose tiles, non-functional taps and wash basins, and missing or broken door handles.

Apart from these, there are only two or three of the four lifts are operational in many cases, with vibrations, broken floors, and malfunctioning buttons.

Bajrang Kale, a resident of the 36th floor in D Wing. PIC/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD

Residents also stated that complaints usually take 15-30 days or more to be resolved. "We were given an agency's contact for repairs. Sometimes they send a carpenter or a technician. If the issue is fixed, good; if not, we keep waiting," said Bajrang Kale, a resident of the 36th floor in D Wing, while speaking to mid-day.com.

Another resident, who lives on the 26th floor, said, "We moved in on September 21, and the bathroom started leaking immediately. It's been four-five days since we have complained. We also had to spend Rs 30,000 from our own savings to install invisible safety grills for our children. These grills should be provided by the authorities. We request at least basic safety features be taken seriously."Resident of the 26th floor D wing BDD Chawl Redeveloped home. PIC/ MANJEET THAKUR

Many residents claim that they had to pay out of their own pockets to fix basic issues in the newly constructed homes.

Despite being promised two years of free maintenance by Tata and 10 years by MHADA, residents claim that the work by the contracted electricians, plumbers, and carpenters are not up to standard. "We were shown glossy presentations about modern homes, but the reality is completely different. We feel ignored," said Kale, adding, "Many sockets sparked and failed the day pe