Local fear that an $11bn redevelopment project in Mumbai could leave out thousands of people
A plan to transform Dharavi, known globally as one of the largest slums in South Asia, is facing opposition from local residents, the Indian Express reported on Friday. Located in the heart of India’s financial capital, Mumbai, Dharavi spans over 250 hectares and has attracted attention from tourists, economists, urban planners, and Hollywood.
The redevelopment plan, approved by the government of Maharashtra on Wednesday, aims to build nearly 60,000 residential houses and over 13,000 commercial units for eligible tenants in the area. The total cost of the project is estimated at $11 billion.
The proposal also includes improving infrastructure in the area, and could take up to seven years to complete.
However, according to the Indian Express, this plan has drawn criticism from Dharavi residents, who are protesting that only those occupying ground-floor structures will be eligible for rehousing.
There are over 100,000 ground-floor structures in Dharavi, with at least 150,000 to 200,000 tenants residing on the second and third floors, Rajendra Korde, president of the Dharavi Redevelopment Samiti, told the outlet. He questioned the survey conducted by the agency working on the project. According to government officials, Dharavi houses over 600,000 people.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP) is a joint venture between the Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates led by Gautam Adani, and the Maharashtra state government. Since securing the project, the DRP has been conducting a survey to identify the total number of residents in Dharavi who are eligible.
It estimates that 72,000 housing and commercial units built on 47.20 hectares will be required, according to the master plan presented to the authorities, the report noted. While Dharavi is known as a densely populated slum, it is also a thriving hub for small businesses. Over the decades, it has emerged as a vital industrial zone for leather, textiles, and other small-scale exports.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office has stated that the project is designed to preserve Dharavi’s unique commercial identity. The master plan for Dharavi includes creating five industry clusters: garment, pottery, leather, food, and recycling, as well as improving connectivity in the redeveloped areas.
