In the shadow of high-rise towers that dot Mumbai’s upscale Worli skyline, the residents of Subedhar Ramji Ambedkar Nagar, claim they’ve been abandoned by a promise that once gave them hope.
Families here claim that they were evicted from their homes by the Lodha Group where they said that of rehabilitation and redevelopment. But instead of being moved into better accommodations, many of them say they are still waiting, for homes, for clarity, and in some cases, even for the rent compensation that was supposed to cover the interim. “We were told we’d be given rent money and temporary housing till the new buildings were ready,” says a resident of Subedhar Nagar. “But neither have we received the money regularly, nor is there any update about our new homes. We’re just stuck.”
The Lodha Group, one of India’s largest real estate developers, has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations. Outlook India reached out to the company’s media representatives via email, but there was no reply till the time of publishing. The Subedhar Ramji Ambedkar Nagar project is under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) of Maharashtra government and has been awarded to the Lodha Group.
The redevelopment, meant to modernize the area and provide better housing to existing residents, allows private developers to construct luxury housing in exchange for rehabilitating slum dwellers at the same site. While the policy aims to benefit both parties, critics say the execution often leaves vulnerable residents in a precarious position.
In Subedhar Nagar, residents allege they were shown glossy presentations and given verbal assurances by Lodha officials but were never provided a clear timeline or written agreements. “They demolished our houses saying we’d be shifted temporarily, and now they don’t pick up calls,” says Sukant Dhuble, a resident who also owns a small store near the construction site.
Residents at times gather at the local temple courtyard, sharing updates and clinging to hope. “We don’t want charity,” says Dhuble. “We just want what was promised.” For now, that promise remains suspended, like their lives, in a city constantly racing ahead, yet failing to bring everyone along.
