HC seeks govt's reply on PIL on BDD chawls redevelopment

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sought a reply from the Maharashtra government on a petition challenging the manner in which redevelopment of BDD chawls in the city has been proposed.

Shirish Patel and Sulakshana Mahajan, the petitioners, claimed that the proposed redevelopment would jeopardise health, well-being and right to life of the residents.

These chawls or tenements were built by the Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) in south and central Mumbai around 100 years ago.

"As per the proposal, the buildings will be constructed in a small portion of the original plot. Buildings will be constructed so close to each other that the residents will be deprived of proper light and air. This will lead to increase in diseases and other health issues," the petition said.

It came up for hearing on Wednesday before a division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharati Dangre which directed the government to file an affidavit in reply.

Those rehabilitated at Mahul in eastern Mumbai were facing similar issues, the judges said.

"The situation at Mahul is also the same. Unhygienic and unhealthy living conditions. Even the National Green Tribunal has said this, but the government has still made people to shift there," chief justice Nandrajog said.

There are 206 BDD chawls, spread across 92 acres in Worli, N M Joshi Marg, Naigaon and Sewri.

The government has initiated redevelopment of all the chawls except those in Sewri.