While Elphinstone residents still await updates from authorities, the Pagdi Ekta Sangh has warned that if no action is taken, they will launch a citywide protest on August 17. The protest drew participation from senior citizens, women, and families who have been living in hazardous housing conditions for decades
The protestors called for urgent intervention from the Maharashtra government and MHADA. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
After Elphinstone residents demanded the redevelopment of their buildings and sought alternate transit homes nearby, hundreds of pagdi system tenants from across Mumbai gathered at Azad Maidan on Wednesday under the banner of Pagdi Ekta Sangh, demanding long-awaited justice. The protestors called for urgent intervention from the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for the redevelopment of dilapidated and dangerous pagdi buildings. According to data shared by the Sangh, over 13,800 buildings under the pagdi system house more than 15 lakh residents across Mumbai.
While Elphinstone residents still await updates from authorities, the Pagdi Ekta Sangh has warned that if no action is taken, they will launch a citywide protest on August 17. The protest drew participation from senior citizens, women, and families who have been living in hazardous housing conditions for decades. The Sangh presented five concrete demands to the state. “If the authorities fail to respond, especially by starting redevelopment work on C1-classified buildings, our one lakh members will launch a larger citywide agitation on August 17,” said Pagdi Ekta Sangh chief Mukesh Shah.
Growing frustration
“Despite the urgency of our demands, neither MHADA nor the Maharashtra Housing Department has responded. We’ve written letters to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and the VP and CEO of MHADA, but none of them replied all day,” Shah said. Activists claim the silence shows the government’s apathy toward lakhs of pagdi tenants, many of whom are economically weak and politically underrepresented.
“The pagdi system, common in South Mumbai and older city pockets, allows lifetime tenancy under rent control but offers no ownership rights. Many buildings under this system are over 70 years old and structurally unsound, yet redevelopment is stalled due to legal, financial, and administrative hurdles, leaving tenants in daily danger,” said Vanita Rane, chief secretary of the Pagdi Ekta Sangh.
Five key demands
1 Timely redevelopment plan: The Sangh demanded that the state and MHADA immediately announce a building-specific redevelopment roadmap for all old and dangerous pagdi buildings in Mumbai.
2 Redevelopment of C1 buildings: Buildings classified as C1 — declared unsafe for habitation — must see work begin within the next month. Residents say bureaucratic delays are forcing them to live in life-threatening conditions.
3 Fair rent and deposit during transit: Displaced tenants must be given a minimum of R25,000 per month rent (or market rate), with a 10 per cent annual hike. A one-time R50,000 security deposit should also be provided for temporary housing.
4 Protection from forced evictions: No tenant should be evicted without a registered redevelopment agreement guaranteeing their right to return. Many allege they’ve been removed without paperwork or assurances.
5 Permanent ownership rights post-redevelopment: Existing pagdi tenants must be granted permanent ownership in redeveloped buildings.
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