India, July 28 -- In 2016, over nine years ago the state government decided that the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) would redevelop the Bombay Development Department Chawls (BDD). Finally, by this Independence day, the first lot of the homes are likely to be handed over to their new residents.

The BDD Chawls, built between 1920 and 1925 by the Bombay Development Department, were among the first batches of affordable urban housing for migrant workers who worked in the textile mills, docks and railways.

According to a senior MHADA official, 556 housing units are ready in Worli, and an Occupation Certificate for them was issued a few days ago. MHADA is waiting to hear from the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis an...