Green Signal for Land Acquisition of Tambawala, Devji Gharsi and Zohra Mansion Buildings: Redevelopment Set to Restart After 10 Years

The redevelopment of the Tambawala Building, Devji Gharsi Building and Zohra Mansion in Nagpada, Byculla has remained stalled for almost ten years, creating continuous concern among the residents who have been waiting for action. Three years ago, the construction work at these sites was stopped and closed, leaving the structures and the people living there in an uncertain condition. With the state government now granting approval for the land acquisition of these three buildings, the long-pending redevelopment appears ready to move ahead. This important step reflects coordinated administrative efforts from senior leadership, including IAS Sanjeev Jaiswal, whose involvement has contributed to taking the stalled process toward resolution and relief for the residents.

According to the government decision, the responsibility for acquiring the land of the Tambawala Building, Devji Gharsi Building and Zohra Mansion has been given to the MMRDA. As per these directions, the land acquisition will proceed, and the earlier delay is expected to end. With this approval, the residents who have been waiting for redevelopment for nearly a decade are likely to receive the long-needed progress in the coming period. The plots connected with these buildings have been included in the development plan, and the revised layout that has been prepared provides a clearer structure for upcoming procedures.

Redevelopment Path Opens After Long Delay

The state government has issued instructions to the concerned board to begin the necessary action. With approval now granted for land acquisition, the redevelopment path for all three buildings, Tambawala Building, Devji Gharsi Building and Zohra Mansion, has become clear. The decision marks an important point because the redevelopment had been pending for years without any meaningful movement. The buildings had reached a stage where the residents were continuously worried about their status, and the halted condition of the construction added to their difficulties. The government’s confirmation that the land acquisition will proceed has brought visible relief to the people staying in these structures.

The connected land parcels have been included in the sanctioned development plan. The revised development plan, which has now been prepared, includes the layout for the required work. With this update, the path for the next stages of redevelopment has become more certain. The state government’s directions also indicate that the concerned authorities must carry out the process according to the instructions issued to them.

Instructions to File Cases Against Developers

As per the government decision, the land acquisition will be completed in phases. After the land acquisition is done, the second phase of redevelopment, which was stopped earlier, will be taken forward by the board. The redevelopment had remained stuck for ten years because of the developers’ lack of action, and the government has therefore decided to take strict steps. Instructions have been given to the police to register offences against the developers who kept the project stalled for such a long period. These directions indicate the seriousness with which the government intends to move the redevelopment process forward.

The residents now expect that the stalled work will finally restart. With clear orders to take action against the developers, the government has attempted to ensure that the earlier situation does not repeat. The instruction to file cases against the developers also highlights the responsibility placed on them for causing the delay.

High Court Observations Strengthen the Case for Action

During the hearing of a petition filed by the residents, the High Court issued an order under section 11(3) on 9 October 2024. The High Court had pointed out the condition of the Mathadi workers and the condition of the occupants in all three buildings. The court’s observations indicated that the state of the residents required attention. Even after the High Court’s order, the developers did not take any further steps. Because no action was taken despite the court’s instructions, the government decided to begin the land acquisition process directly.

The High Court’s observations became an important factor in pushing the matter ahead. The residents had approached the court for relief, and the court had responded by giving an order that pointed out the situation inside the buildings. The court’s order also created pressure for the authorities to take action and prevented the matter from continuing in the earlier state of delay.

Ten Years of Waiting Nears an End

The residents of the Tambawala Building, Devji Gharsi Building and Zohra Mansion have been waiting for ten years for the redevelopment to reach a definite stage. With the construction work stopped three years ago and no progress made by the developers, the people living there had been facing continuous uncertainty. The decision to begin land acquisition has now provided a clear reassurance. The halted redevelopment had become a cause of worry, and the absence of movement from the developers left the buildings in a long-pending condition.

With the approval for land acquisition, the state government has made it clear that the redevelopment will now be carried out through an official process. The responsibility given to the MMRDA shows that the government wants the procedure to move forward without further delay. The revised development plan and the instructions issued to the authorities indicate that the procedures required for redevelopment are now aligned to progress in a systematic manner.
The government’s orders to take action against the developers, along with the High Court’s earlier observations, have created the conditions for the redevelopment to finally move ahead. After years of waiting, the residents can now expect that the land acquisition and redevelopment of the Tambawala, Devji Gharsi and Zohra Mansion buildings will proceed toward completion.