From 160-sq-feet in a BDD chawl to 500 sq-ft in a 40-storey high-rise, families ecstatic at their spacious new redeveloped homes; for years, families in BDD chawls lived in dilapidated conditions — neglected buildings, yet fiercely close-knit communities
The Kale family sharing sweets after performing a puja in their new apartment. Pics/Ashish Raje
Once a resident of the humble BDD Chawl No. 31 in Worli, Bajrang Shankar Kale spent decades in a cramped 160 sq ft room with his family. Today, he proudly stands on the 37th floor of a gleaming 40-floor high-rise, after performing a puja in his brand new 500 sq ft self-contained apartment — a home he can finally call his own. For Kale and thousands like him, the transition from chawl to tower is not just a change of address but a transformation of lifestyle, dignity, and aspiration.
From one room to four
The swanky 40-storey Worli tower where BDD chawl residents have been relocated
“I grew up in that 160 sq ft room. My parents raised us there. I got married, and my son was also born in that house. That single room was our bedroom, living room, and kitchen. And the bathroom? We had to share one toilet and one bathroom with at least four other families. Now, we have two bathrooms in one house, with a separate space just for a washing machine, which we don’t even know if we’ll ever buy. Privacy was once a dream, and today we are puzzled about how to even use so much space,” Kale recalls, his voice tinged with nostalgia and relief.
View of the newly constructed Coastal Road and the sea from the master bedroom. Pics/Ashish Raje
For years, families in BDD chawls lived in dilapidated conditions — neglected buildings, yet fiercely close-knit communities. Constructed in the 1920s for mill workers, the chawls housed generations of working-class Mumbaikars. While the community spirit thrived, the infrastructure steadily crumbled.
“Our buildings were over 100 years old and beyond repair. Redevelopment was the only way forward. We thank MHADA, Tata Constructions, and the government authorities for fulfilling our dream of living in a proper home. Safety has been prioritised with sprinklers and smoke detectors in every room, along with speakers to guide residents in emergencies,” said Kale.
The spacious kitchen where Sunita looks forward to cooking with her relatives
‘Inconvenience? That was life’
What most people call “inconvenience” was a daily reality in the BDD chawls. “We were used to it — waking up early to beat the toilet queue, storing water, squeezing family life into a single room. That was normal for us,” says Sunita, Kale’s wife. “But there was warmth in that life. The chawl taught us values like adjustment, sharing, and community. Even in this new big house, those lessons will always stay with us.”
A safe, private and hygienic life
For Sunita, the biggest change is safety and hygiene. “We used to worry about leaking ceilings during the monsoon, rats in the kitchen, and children falling sick. Now, everything is clean and new,” she smiles. Her pride is the kitchen. “I finally have a large, airy kitchen with space for utensils, the refrigerator, and enough room for four women to work together during festivals — without suffering in the heat,” she says.
The Kale family after performing a puja in their new apartment
Their 24-year-old son, Karan, calls the shift life-changing. “I never thought I’d have a room of my own. I assumed I’d only get one if I bought a flat with a loan that I’d repay for all my life. Now, I can study, pursue hobbies, and even invite friends over. It feels unreal. I just hope everyone maintains the house and facilities properly,” he said. On Wednesday, the Kale family completed all formalities, held a small pooja, and is now preparing to move into their new home after arranging for plumbing and electrical fittings.
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Floor Bajrang Kale has been allotted flat
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