Mumbai’s ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has achieved a significant milestone by completing the survey of over 25,000 tenements, representing nearly 42% of the estimated 60,000 units. This critical groundwork was achieved despite disruptions caused by two elections and an extended monsoon season. The survey, pivotal to Asia’s largest slum redevelopment initiative, seeks to transform Dharavi into a modern urban space with sustainable infrastructure and improved living standards for its residents.
Project officials highlighted the intricate nature of the survey, involving advanced Lidar mapping, land reconnaissance, and a rigorous door-to-door verification process. Each tenement is assigned a unique identification code, ensuring accuracy in assessing eligibility for rehabilitation under the project. “This survey is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it is the foundation for Dharavi’s transformation,” a senior project official stated. Over 50 dedicated teams, comprising hundreds of personnel, are deployed daily across Dharavi’s five sectors and 34 zones, verifying 200 to 250 homes and numbering up to 400 tenements daily. While 25,000 units have been surveyed since March, a substantial number remain, underscoring the need for greater resident cooperation. “The survey is a gateway to modern housing equipped with private kitchens, toilets, uninterrupted utilities, and a healthier environment,” said an official source.
Residents are encouraged to actively participate to expedite the process, which determines eligibility for redevelopment benefits. The government plans to provide rented accommodation for residents of upper-floor structures and those who moved to Dharavi between 2011 and 2022. These individuals will have the option of hire-purchase in modern townships outside the Dharavi Notified Area, complete with schools, healthcare facilities, and public transport. Despite political interference and logistical hurdles, officials remain optimistic. Additional survey teams will soon be deployed to accelerate progress. The redevelopment vision promises wider roads, green spaces, and comprehensive infrastructure, symbolising hope for a better future for Dharavi’s residents.
