After weeks of mounting pressure and a prolonged hunger strike by residents, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday reviewed the long-pending issues surrounding the Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Goregaon. Following assurances from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde and based on the Bombay High Court’s (HC’s) directions, residents who had been on a 50-day hunger strike over their demands called off their protest and agreed to move into the flats.
The high-level meeting, convened by the Housing Department, was chaired by Shinde at Mantralaya. It comes in response to assurances made in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and growing unrest among residents over the condition of rehabilitated flats.
The meeting focused on addressing pending concerns and outlining the next course of action.
Key takeaways
Approval of 10 per cent rent escalation from 2019
Assurance that repair work and Ambamata Mandir Jirnodhar (renovation) will be carried out by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)
Review of overall progress and redevelopment issues
Senior leaders, including Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Sunil Prabhu, Vidya Thakur, and Aslam Sheikh, along with top MHADA officials, attended the meeting. Society representatives were also allowed limited participation.
High court intervention
The dispute has been under judicial scrutiny, with the HC recently directing MHADA to complete the handover of flats by April 30, 2026.
A division bench comprising Justices GS Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe noted that while some residents had already taken possession, the remaining members must do so within the deadline. The court also allowed MHADA to deploy officers on-site to facilitate the process.
Importantly, the court ruled that if residents fail to take possession within the stipulated time, the authority may repurpose the flats for public housing, though delayed claimants can regain possession after due notice.
Project mired in delays and controversy
The Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Siddharth Nagar, Goregaon West, began in 2008 under a private developer and was later taken over by MHADA.
Over nearly two decades, the project has faced repeated delays, controversies, and shifting timelines.
Even after completion, several residents alleged that the flats handed over were incomplete and unsafe, citing issues such as leakages, poor construction quality, and lack of basic amenities.
Residents’ protest and hunger strike
Dissatisfied with the condition of the flats, residents rejected the MHADA-allotted homes and launched a chain hunger strike that lasted nearly 50 days, which was called off only after Shinde’s assurance.
Speaking to mid-day, resident Naresh Sawant (56) alleged, “The contractor falsely claimed before the high court that all units were in good condition. We took possession under protest, but there is no clean drinking water, the rooms are filthy, doors are broken, and repairs ordered by the court have not been carried out. Even our rental allowance has been stopped.”
Another resident, Rekha Naik (64), said, “Following assurances from the Deputy CM, we ended our hunger strike. Around 400 members have taken possession so far. We urge the government to approve the long-pending 10% rent escalation since 2019, complete all repairs, and ensure proper compensation if needed.”
What lies ahead
While the government’s intervention has provided temporary relief, residents continue to demand:
Completion of pending repair work
Restoration of rental allowances
Compensation for lack of amenities
Formal registration of development agreements.
The Patra Chawl redevelopment remains a crucial test case for urban housing projects in Mumbai, highlighting the challenges of delayed execution, quality control, and accountability in large-scale rehabilitation efforts.
