Empowering Communities: Purvarang Society's Historic Self-Redevelopment Triumph!
On the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, 56 families of Purvarang Cooperative Housing Society proudly received the keys to their spacious new apartments. It was the culmination of a seven-year journey, a journey of resilience, determination, and community spirit as they became the first residents of Maharashtra to complete a self-redevelopment project without any external help. Residents of Purvarang Cooperative Housing Society in Mulund (East) transformed their tiny 390-square-foot flats into spacious 3BHK apartments, setting a precedent for self-redevelopment initiatives in Maharashtra. Led by their chairman, Milind Mahadik, and guided by housing activist Chandrashekhar Prabhu, the residents of Purvarang Society embarked on an ambitious journey to revitalize their living spaces. Despite facing skepticism from architects and setbacks such as a withdrawn bank loan during the Covid lockdown, they persevered, financing the project through their own resources. "This is the first self-redevelopment project in Maharashtra where residents did not avail of any bank loan, external funds nor involved a developer to build the 23-storey tower," remarked Mahadik, reflecting on the Purvarang Society's pioneering achievement. Through meticulous planning and collective decision-making, the residents selected building materials and oversaw the construction process. The result? A towering building boasting 118 flats, 56 of which were allocated to society members. The remaining flats were sold at market rates. The proceeds from the sale covered the construction costs, highlighting the project's financial viability. In a city grappling with redevelopment woes and stranded families, Purvarang Society's success serves as a symbol of hope. While Mumbai witnesses a redevelopment frenzy, the self-redevelopment approach offers numerous advantages. The benefits of self-redevelopment for society members include increased living space compared to what builders typically provide, greater financial resources compared to builder offers, tailored planning to meet members' specific needs, timely project completion and enhanced amenities for improved quality of life. Through unity, determination, and resilience, the residents of Purvarang Cooperative Housing Society have rewritten the narrative of redevelopment, setting a precedent for sustainable, inclusive urban development.
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