Overview
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray accused the state’s new pagdi redevelopment framework of prioritizing landlords and builders and warned it could displace long-time residents.
- He called for pagdi residents to be legally recognized as occupants with enforceable protections during redevelopment and sought clear affirmation of MHADA’s authority in such cases.
- Thackeray criticized the provision promising only the same carpet area post-redevelopment and argued tenants should receive additional space.
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier announced rules to redevelop pagdi buildings, citing collapsed structures and about 13,000 awaiting reconstruction, and noted tenant protections under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act.
- The announcement, made ahead of BMC elections, affects thousands across south and central Mumbai, and Thackeray also urged relocating high-frequency defence radars that he says constrain redevelopment.