Rapid Redevelopment of Mumbai’s Textile Mill Lands and Old Chawls to Begin – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Announces Key Regulatory Changes

Nagpur, Dec 2025 : The long-pending redevelopment of old chawls and residential structures on Mumbai’s textile mill lands is set to accelerate, following a significant announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Legislative Assembly. Many of these old chawls, due to their age, are considered structurally unsafe, making their redevelopment a pressing necessity.

Deputy CM Shinde stated that the government has decided to amend the existing regulatory framework to incentivize and facilitate the redevelopment of old chawls on textile mill lands. These amendments are expected to give a fresh impetus to redevelopment projects that have been stalled for years.

The changes pertain to the Brihanmumbai Development Control and Promotion Regulations (BDCPR) – 2034, specifically Regulation 35(7)(a). Following legal procedures under Section 37(1k)(ka) of the MR & TP Act, the government has completed the statutory formalities for amending the regulations and has approved the proposed changes. The notification for the approval of these amendments will be officially issued shortly, Shinde added.

Key Implications of the Amendments

• Facilitating Redevelopment: The amendments make redevelopment of old chawls on textile mill lands more feasible and streamlined, ensuring faster execution of projects.
• Tenant Rehabilitation Rights: Under the updated regulations, eligible residents of old residential or mixed-use buildings on mill lands are entitled to rehabilitation flats during redevelopment.
• Incentives for Developers: Previously, the regulations did not include provisions for incentive floor space to encourage landowners or developers to undertake redevelopment. This lack of incentives had resulted in developers hesitating to invest in such projects. The amendment now addresses this gap, making redevelopment financially viable.

Shinde emphasized that these regulatory changes will remove previous obstacles that slowed redevelopment, encouraging landowners and developers to come forward and invest in the reconstruction of old chawls and mill lands. The amendments also aim to safeguard the rights of residents while providing adequate incentives for developers to ensure successful execution of projects.

Currently, Regulation 35 of the BDCPR 2034 already contains provisions for redevelopment of textile mill lands, but sub-clause (7)(a) lacked mechanisms to provide developers with incentive areas necessary to undertake these projects. By filling this gap, the government expects a surge in redevelopment activities, addressing the twin objectives of urban renewal and resident safety.

Deputy CM Shinde concluded that these amendments are a historic step towards modernizing Mumbai’s housing infrastructure, as they combine regulatory clarity with economic incentives, ensuring that redevelopment projects move forward swiftly while protecting the interests of both residents and landowners.

Team Maverick