While the Shiv Sena wants 500 sq ft to be allotted to every tenant in the redeveloped homes, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) thinks that 430 sq ft is sufficient
The massive redevelopment project of the BDD chawls has led to differences between the Shiv Sena and BJP. Sources said the BJP thinks that 430 sq ft is enough for every tenant in the redeveloped homes. But, the Sena is fiercely opposing this since it wants 500 sq ft to be allotted to every tenant, because it had promised the space to its voters in the chawls.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nearly 15,000 families reside in around 200 BDD chawl buildings, which are spread over 92 acres of land in Worli, Lower Parel and Naigaon in south and central Mumbai. Pic/Bipin Kokate
Nearly 15,000 families reside in around 200 BDD chawl buildings, which are spread over 92 acres of land in Worli, Lower Parel and Naigaon in south and central Mumbai. Ravindra Waikar, Shiv Sena MLA and the Minister of State for Housing said, “We have promised that we will give 500-square-foot homes to every tenant under the BDD chawl redevelopment, and we will stick to it.”
He added, “There were people who were opposing it. I will suggest that they see the minutes of the meeting in which BDD chawl was discussed. They will come to know how I fought for 500-square-foot homes to be given to tenants and asked for no compromises to be made on the size of the house.” When mid-day contacted MLA and state Housing Minister Prakash Mehta, he said the Chief Minister, principal secretary for housing and urban development and other ministers in the committee will take the final decision.
FSI benefit
According to Waikar, the redevelopment of BDD chawls is under the Development Control Rules 33 (9), which gives a higher Floor Space Index (FSI) of 4. Plus, the redevelopment gets 35 per cent fungible FSI and if completed in the prescribed time, there is an additional 10 per cent benefit on the FSI.
“If we make a calculation based on this, the area that many tenanted properties will get is above 500 sq ft, but then to keep uniformity, we decided to stick to 500 sq ft. When private developers working under DCR 33(9) give people 500-square-foot homes then why can’t we,” said Waikar.
According to sources, the BJP wants to stick to a lower area for the tenants since it would make a greater number of flats available in market. Waikar’s party, Shiv Sena, has a major vote bank in the BDD chawls, and they want the project to start soon, so that during the upcoming BMC elections they can go to the voters with it.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
