Residents say the situation has reached a breaking point. Many of these pre-1940 ‘A-category’ structures, housing thousands of families, are in a dangerous condition
Members of the Pagdi Ekta Sangh with legislator Aaditya Thackeray in Matoshree.
A 50-member delegation from the Pagdi Ekta Sangh met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray at Matoshree this week, raising alarm over the stalled redevelopment of pagdi buildings across Mumbai.
Residents say the situation has reached a breaking point. Many of these pre-1940 ‘A-category’ structures, housing thousands of families, are in a dangerous condition. Crumbling walls, leaking roofs, and the lack of basic amenities such as toilets, clean water, and sanitation have left people, including elderly residents and women, living in unsafe environments.
The delegation blamed MHADA for the standstill, accusing the housing authority of failing to move projects forward. The crisis has been compounded by recent Bombay High Court rulings that limit MHADA’s powers under Section 79A of the MHADA Act, a provision meant to fast-track redevelopment of hazardous C1-category buildings. With the matter now pending before the Supreme Court, tenants fear years more of uncertainty.
Thackeray assured the group of his support, saying he would rally party MLAs and MPs to push for government action. He also promised to set up a meeting with MHADA’s top officials to find a way forward. Senior leader Anil Parab, who attended the discussion, backed the residents’ demands, particularly the call to stop evictions until redevelopment actually begins.
Mukesh Shah, chairman of the Pagadi Ekta Sangh, said Thackeray has agreed to attend the group’s planned Grand Andolan protest after the Ganpati festival. The march will bring together thousands of residents to demand immediate intervention.
For now, the Pagadi Ekta Sangh says it will continue pressing for urgent redevelopment, housing security, and the protection of over 18 lakh families still living in buildings that experts say are well past their safe lifespan. Activist Jeetendra Ghadge has urged residents to give a missed call on 8433772916 to stay updated on the movement.
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