The meeting was convened at the initiative of BJP group leader and MLA Pravin Darekar, who has been actively pursuing the redevelopment issue on behalf of residents.
The redevelopment of Abhyudaya Nagar had hit a roadblock due to stringent conditions imposed by MHADA. Tenders were floated seven times for redevelopment based on 635 sq. ft. flats, but no developers responded. The unviability of the project under the existing conditions, including high premiums and regulatory constraints, was cited as the main reason for the lack of interest.
BJP group leader MLA Pravin Darekar, along with Sewri constituency MLA Ajay Chaudhary, former minister and MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, MHADA Vice President Sanjeev Jaiswal, and Abhyudaya Nagar Federation's Nandkumar Katkar, Vilas Sawant and other office bearers were present at the meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, MLA Pravin Darekar highlighted the long-standing challenges:
“Abhyudaya Nagar is home to a working-class, predominantly Marathi-speaking community. The redevelopment issue has been pending for 60 years. Despite numerous efforts and even after the first decision for 635 sq. ft. units, there was no developer response. It became clear that MHADA’s rigid conditions were discouraging participation.”
Darekar further added that the new direction from the Chief Minister had given hope to thousands of residents waiting for better housing and infrastructure.
With the revised tender specification and concessions promised by the state government, authorities are optimistic that developers will now show interest. The residents, who have waited decades for modernization of their aging buildings, may finally see real progress in the coming months.