Nowroz Baug Committee

The Nowroz Baug Residents Redevelopment Committee was elected on a block-wise, representative basis on April 14, 2013 to "conduct the future negotiation with the committee of management of N. N. and R. N. Wadia Baugs and the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP),” regarding the ambitious redevelopment plan of the 105-year-old housing colony built by Jerbai Wadia, informs Nariman Mehta, president emeritus of the Nowroze Baug Play Centre and former chairman of the Nowroz Baug Maintenance and Development Committee.

Nowroz Baug redevelopment model

Those elected are Mehta, Jehanbax Dalal, Percy Mahvalwalla, Nevil Gandhi, Anahita Irani, Adi Doctor, Homi Tavadia, Adil Mistry, Kerman Mehta, Parvez Davar, Hector Anklesaria, Nasreen Mehta, Nozer Sutaria, Farad Modi, Bakhtiyar Italia, Hossi Nekoo, Keki Mehta, Bahadur Sanjana, Cyrus Siganporia, Ruzbeh Sutaria, Gayomard Kathawalla, Pariche Jasawalla, Marzi Shastri, Farzana Doctor and Noshir Vajifdar. Blocks representatives in turn will elect an office bearer.
"The responsibility lies with the newly elected Committee to try and negotiate to increase the period of corpus from 10 years as suggested by the trustees to 20 years by persuasion and negotiation and safeguard the interest of the existing residents,” Nariman Mehta wrote in a circular sent to all the residents. "Ensure that when the tower is ready, the proper conveyance deed is transferred to the residents’ committee/society and also the lease of land to be for a minimum period of 99 years…
"Earlier the trustees in their feedback, proposed 20 years of safeguard out of corpus fund. (However) in the meeting dated March 24, 2013, they have stated 10 years of corpus safeguard. Myself and a majority of the residents do not agree to this drastic reduction... We, the residents should unitedly tell the trustees to fix the safeguards of corpus period to 20 years. In so doing, some of the luxurious amenities proposed can be curtailed...
"It is my humble request to my dear residents not to be prey (to) false propaganda by a group of residents to demand unduly more and more. We get a new house, without going to transit camp; with a reasonable period of 20 years of corpus guaranteed and a house with 30 percent to 35 percent more carpet area. I am sure the grateful residents would accept with thanks…
"After over 100 years most of our buildings specially (the rear portions) have been deteriorating. The structural condition is becoming weaker and weaker, despite several rounds of cosmetic repairs where 50 percent contributions were shared equally by residents and the trustees…
"I am convinced that almost all the buildings of Nowroz Baug will not last long without rigorous, frequent repairs. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that redevelopment is the only go. Hence, I am 100 percent in favor of the redevelopment plan,” stated Mehta.