Jogeshwari Caves Redevelopment: Eknath Shinde Orders PAP Homes For Displaced Jayant, Jamuna Chawl Families

In a major relief for long-displaced families of Jayant Chawl and Jamuna Chawl in the Jogeshwari Caves area, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde has directed Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) officials to allot PAP (Project Affected Persons) homes to the affected residents as a special case.

The decision follows a meeting held on July 14, 2025, at the Vidhan Bhavan, attended by MP Ravindra Waikar and senior officials from various departments. The meeting was convened to address pending civic and rehabilitation issues in the Mumbai North West constituency.

Jogeshwari Caves, a historically significant site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Grade I monument, has been surrounded by dense habitation for the last 50 to 60 years. During redevelopment work initiated by a private developer in the area, construction was halted due to a 2004 public interest litigation (PIL No. 2445) and a subsequent High Court order. The court restricted construction within 100 meters of the protected site.

As a result, the redevelopment of Jayant and Jamuna chawls was abandoned midway, leaving many families displaced and homeless for more than 18 years. MP Waikar informed the Deputy CM that the project was left incomplete after initial demolition and partial foundation work, resulting in severe hardship for residents.

According to MP Waikar, Jayant Chawl comprises 26 structures, including 14 residential and 9 non-residential units. Jamuna Chawl comprises 19 structures, with 15 residential and 4 non-residential units still awaiting justice. Though a four-storey building under Jamuna Chawl was constructed, it remains unoccupied due to the lack of an occupancy certificate from the BMC, depriving families of essential civic amenities.

Highlighting the plight of the residents, MP Waikar urged the government to treat this situation as a special case and allot PAP housing. Responding to the demand, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde directed SRA officials to take immediate steps to provide PAP homes to the affected families.

Senior officials including Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Asim Gupta, MHADA Managing Director Sanjeev Jaiswal, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar, and MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee were present at the meeting.

This decision is expected to bring long-awaited relief to dozens of families who have been living in uncertainty for nearly two decades.