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Century Mill Redevelopment Clears Path for Workers’ Families’ New Homes
Century Mill stopped working in 2006, but many former workers’ families still live in small, old homes in Worli.
The colony has 476 homes and 10 shops in 21 buildings.
The BMC now wants to rebuild the colony with modern towers.
About 500 new homes will be reserved for the families.
These homes will be larger, measuring 300 to 400 square feet.
A company called Peddar Realty will develop the project and pay the BMC Rs 1,351 crore.
The plan was delayed because of a long court fight over who controlled the land.
The Supreme Court ruled in January 2025 that the land did not have to be given to the mill company.
A Congress leader says the land could be worth much more than the amount the BMC will receive.
The BMC plans to replace 21 ageing Century Mill colony buildings in Worli with modern residential towers.
About 500 rehabilitation flats of 300 to 400 square feet are earmarked for former mill workers’ families.
Developer Peddar Realty will pay the BMC Rs 1,351 crore under a 30-year lease arrangement.
The Supreme Court’s January 2025 ruling cleared a legal hurdle over ownership of the land.
Congress leader Ashraf Azmi questioned whether the BMC is receiving enough value for the prime land parcel.
- Who
- The BMC, former Century Mill workers’ families, Peddar Realty, and Congress leader Ashraf Azmi.
- What
- A proposal to redevelop the Century Mill colony and rehabilitate its residents in new homes.
- Where
- The Century Mill colony in Worli, Mumbai.
- When
- The redevelopment was delayed since 2006; the Supreme Court ruled on the dispute in January 2025, and the proposal is scheduled for the BMC House on Monday.
- Why
- To replace ageing tenements, rehabilitate former mill workers’ families, and redevelop the prime land after a legal dispute was resolved.
BMC Redevelopment Plan
Congress Valuation Objection
Value of the land deal
BMC Redevelopment Plan
The BMC says the project will provide Rs 1,351 crore to the civic body while ensuring redevelopment and rehabilitation of the colony.
Congress Valuation Objection
Ashraf Azmi says the land could offer development potential of around Rs 13,000 crore, making the proposed return inadequate.
Priority for residents
BMC Redevelopment Plan
The civic plan requires all families living in the 476 tenements to receive new homes with modern civic amenities.
Congress Valuation Objection
Congress says the existing mill-worker families must be rehabilitated first and that the prime land should benefit Mumbai’s people.
Key facts
- Existing colony
- 476 tenements and 10 shops across 21 buildings
- Existing home size
- Around 180 square feet
- Planned rehabilitation homes
- Around 500 flats measuring 300 to 400 square feet
- Developer
- Peddar Realty, selected as the successful bidder in May this year
- BMC payment
- Rs 1,351 crore
- Lease period
- 30 years, with a renewal clause
- Land value cited by BMC
- Around Rs 660 crore
- Opposition valuation
- Congress leader Ashraf Azmi estimated the land’s development potential at around Rs 13,000 crore
Quotes
A civic official
BMC official discussing the rehabilitation requirement and promised amenities.
“The primary clause of this project is that all the families of the erstwhile mill workers who have been living in these 476 housing tenements should get rehabilitated. The residents will get new houses accompanied with all modern civic amenities.”
indianexpress.com
Ashraf Azmi
Congress leader in the BMC who questioned the project’s valuation.
“BMC is giving away a Rs 13,000 crore development opportunity for just around Rs 1,300 crore. After fighting for seven decades to reclaim Century Mill land, the civic body should not now surrender its value. The existing families of mill workers must be rehabilitated first, and Mumbai’s prime land must benefit its people.”
indianexpress.com





