Mhada to float global tenders for BDD chawls

The state government will soon announce global tenders for the erstwhile 93 acres Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) chawls by the end of 2016. This comes in after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Wednesday, gave the approval to invite global tenders for the redevelopment of 195 hectares Dharavi Redevelopment Project in the four out of the five sectors in Dharavi.

“Global developers will be allowed to join hands with local developers like that of Larsen &Toubro realty and Godrej properties who have the experience and capability to handle big cluster development projects. We had a meeting with the residents of the BDD chawls on Tuesday and we have assured that Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) will only act as an nodal agency in the redevelopment process and we will invite global tenders and appoint international developers who have in-depth expertise when it comes to handling cluster development projects,” S.S. Zende, vice-president, Mhada.

Earlier, in December 2015, 33 architects had applied to prepare the design and master plan of the BDD chawls out of which 13 architects were short-listed for presenting their designs with the jury members of Mhada. Out of them, 12 architects presented their designs to the jury after which three were finalised.

The designs of these architects were presented to the state housing minister Prakash Mehta on Saturday, followed by the minister of state for housing Ravindra Waikar on Monday.

“The chief minister is very keen the redevelopment of BDD chawls and we expect to float global tenders by the end of 2016,” said a senior Mhada official close to the developments. The designs now are going to be presented to the chief minister after which the final decision on selection of architect will be done.

With 13,500 tenants residing in 93 acres BDD chawls spread over 93 acres of land located in Worli, NM Joshi Marg and Naigaon, it is the second largest cluster development project in the city after Dharavi.

“The state is expecting to create housing stock of 16,000 units which will be sold by Mhada via lottery systems,” added Mr Zende.

The proposed designs by the architects have flats sized 2BHK and area of 407 sq ft for Naigaon, 548 sq ft for NM Joshi Marg followed by 566 sqft for Worli. All the flats are inclusive of carpet area.