The 14-year-long fight for redevelopment is finally over for residents of a building at Bawla compound in Chinchpokli. The fight dates back to 2009, when the residents submitted a proposal to MHADA with the majority of tenants giving their consent for joint redevelopment with a private developer. The next year, MHADA granted an NOC for the project, but it was soon withdrawn. 

Sandeep Parab, a resident and treasurer who has been living in the chawl for 50 years, said the issue started prior to 2009. “Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) acquired this land for redevelopment in 1977 when 280 families were living here. After about 28 years (in 2005), MHADA demolished two buildings and the tenants affected were shifted to transit camps in Vikhroli and at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion,” he told mid-day.