This large, dense complex of housing was built from 2000 to 2005 to replace slums on the same site. The development was initiated by the Mumbai Municipal Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Once residents were moved to a transit camp located fifteen minutes away by walking, the slum was demolished and the towers were built. Residents then either moved back to the site and into the new flats, or, if the family did not have enough money to pay for additional costs associated with the new buildings (such as resident association dues and building maintenance fees), they might rent out their flat for a cash advance of Rs. 2 lakhs until enough money was saved for the family to return and occupy their flat. The owner of the flat would return the advance to the renters upon returning. This cash advance system is known as pagri.
- Residents of this complex are reaching the end of the ten year waiting period before they are permitted to sell their units.
- Residents had to prove they were living in the slum before 1995 to claim rights to flats.
- Development of the housing blocks on the site is “complete,” but there are still people occupying and in process of moving from the transit camp to the new flats
- A large new hospital under construction right next to the site.
- There is a slum neighborhood directly behind the site separated by a high masonry wall, with many people walking back and forth between the two communities. Residents said that a developer has been given ownership of the site behind the wall, but so far there has been no movement to redevelop it.
- Resident associations known as “societies” (RWA), formed by residents, collect dues of 100-500 Rs/mo. Some residents said the society leaders are self-appointed and corrupt.
- People were especially curious about us here, following us around and taking pictures with phones.
- Residents felt they were better off in the new units than in the slum, which had many problems with water and electricity, though the new development has as many as 14 family members living together in one tiny unit.
- Residents said they did not agree to a developer’s scheme before being moved; they were just told they had to leave.
Photos: Kate Cahill