Putting the occupants of Model Mills chawl on final notice, M/s P & P Associates, Navi Mumbai, has put out a public notice asking them to vacate the premises as the site is to be redeveloped. The Navi Mumbai firm has won the right to redevelop the chawl where erstwhile workers of Model Mills used to reside. As the occupants are still not moving out despite several rounds of discussion and post agreement, the developer has finally given 30-day notice to the remaining occupants to vacate. Though the notice did not mention the same, it’s clear that after the formal notice the developer would be at liberty to take over the chawl and carry out the demolition activity. The current condition of the chawl is highly dangerous as the construction dates back to over 50-years and now much of the portion has also collapsed. Still, a few occupants are not ready to move out and continue to risk their lives. The Navi Mumbai firm stated that they had already secured Fire NOC and also Aviation NOC and got in-principle approval from Town Planning Department for building plan.

 

The occupants, the notice said, have time and again agreed to move out and allow for redevelopment process to move ahead. Still, misgivings among the remaining few and differences among the chawl residents resulted in a stalemate. The total area of Model Mills chawl is 3.16 acres and about 250 families’ claims were approved by the National Textile Corporation (NTC) which auctioned the Mill and the adjoining chawl. The chawl is in Ganeshpeth area of city and many towering structures have come up there.

 

The developer stated that due to delay in getting permission they would not be responsible for the agreed deadline to provide redeveloped premises to chawl residents. Each of the chawl room is just 100 sq.ft. and current condition is listed as very poor. The developer mentioned that in case of any untoward incident they would not be responsible. The matter is hanging on fire since year 2000 and in past it was declared that an agreement was reached but somehow the chawl residents are still undecided. As per agreement, every occupant is promised a 300 sq.ft property in the redevelopment project.