The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), one of the most ambitious urban renewal schemes in India, has received a significant boost as the Union Cabinet approved the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Maharashtra government. This decision marks a critical step towards accelerating the implementation of the project, which aims to transform one of Asia’s largest slums into a modern urban area with improved housing and infrastructure.
The land transfer, approved on a 99-year lease, follows the Maharashtra government’s request to the Centre to utilise these defunct salt pan lands for constructing affordable housing. These lands, whose leases had long expired, have been identified as suitable for development under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Development Plan 2034. The plan, approved in 2018 when the Shiv Sena-led government was in coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sets aside these land parcels for affordable housing initiatives, aligning with the state’s broader vision of inclusive urban development.
For the first time, the DRP will provide housing not only to eligible slum dwellers but also to those who were previously categorised as ineligible. This inclusive approach is seen as a landmark move in Maharashtra’s urban policy, aiming to improve the living conditions of all residents in Dharavi. Addressing concerns about potential environmental impacts, particularly the risk of flooding and harm to migratory bird habitats, DRP officials clarified that the lands in question are not located within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). According to officials, no salt-making activity has taken place on these parcels for several years. The lands are situated on the westward side of the Eastern Expressway, away from the creek, thereby negating the risk of flooding during high tide.
Moreover, portions of these lands have already been allocated to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for a metro car shed for Line 6, which connects Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri West to Vikhroli East, with preliminary work already underway. Interestingly, part of the same salt pan land was previously identified by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government as an alternative site for a metro car shed for Line 3, between Seepz and Colaba. The MVA government had sought to relocate the car shed from Aarey Colony due to environmental concerns, highlighting the multi-faceted utility of these land parcels in Mumbai’s broader infrastructure development plan.
This strategic transfer of land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project underscores the Centre and Maharashtra government’s commitment to addressing Mumbai’s pressing housing challenges. By leveraging defunct land resources for affordable housing, the project aims to not only provide better living conditions for Dharavi’s residents but also set a precedent for other urban renewal initiatives across the country.
