Controversial Dharavi Redevelopment Plan Set for Approval.
Mumbai’s iconic slum, Dharavi, long known as one of Asia’s largest informal settlements, is poised for a transformation that promises to reshape the area and the lives of its residents. However, as the final master plan for the ambitious ₹3 lakh crore redevelopment project nears completion, it has stirred up both optimism and controversy. Scheduled for release in the coming month, the plan is poised to have far-reaching consequences across 640 acres of central Mumbai. Yet, the city finds itself at a crossroads, as questions mount over the lack of public consultations and transparency.
The scale of the redevelopment is nothing short of monumental. The project, backed by Adani Group’s Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), envisions the creation of 10 crore square feet of rehabilitation housing alongside an additional 14 crore square feet of commercial and saleable property. At its core, the vision is to provide state-of-the-art housing for tens of thousands of families who currently live in overcrowded, inadequate conditions. Approximately ₹25,000 crore is earmarked for constructing new rehabilitation units, with another ₹2,000 crore approved for expenditure in the coming months. However, the absence of public engagement has raised concerns. The redevelopment plan is positioned as a step towards modernising one of Mumbai’s most overcrowded and neglected areas. With over 80% of the survey now completed, authorities have identified around 84,000 commercial and 53,000 residential units that will be involved in the process. A fresh survey, launched earlier this month, continues to identify eligible tenants for relocation. Those who are deemed ineligible for new housing will face relocation to rental housing complexes in various parts of Mumbai, with additional plots being acquired across the city, including areas like Kurla, Malad, and Matunga.
While the project promises significant economic and social upliftment, the lack of public consultation has become a point of contention. Community groups and residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the process, calling for a more inclusive approach that reflects the voices of the very people it intends to affect. The authorities have yet to announce any public hearings or consultations before the final approval of the plan, even though it will directly impact thousands of lives. Critics argue that this lack of engagement undermines the very purpose of the project, which is supposed to be for the people and by the people.For many residents, the issue goes beyond just the size and scale of the redevelopment. Calls have emerged for more substantial rehabilitation offers, including demands for units larger than the 350 square feet being proposed. Some are even pushing for a guarantee that displaced families will be rehoused within the boundaries of Dharavi itself. These concerns are amplified by the revelation that a large portion of the religious structures in the area may need to be relocated or removed to make way for the new development.
Although officials have assured that the process is being handled according to slum rehabilitation rules, the larger question remains: can Dharavi’s redevelopment truly be called a success if it alienates the people it aims to uplift? There is a delicate balance to strike between urbanisation, community cohesion, and equitable development. Critics argue that any transformation of this scale must respect the cultural fabric of the area and consider the needs of those who have called Dharavi home for generations.
As the clock ticks down to the finalisation of the master plan, the next few weeks could prove critical in determining whether this ambitious vision for Dharavi will indeed become a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development or if it will serve as another example of top-down planning that disregards the very voices it seeks to serve. In a city marked by stark inequality, the success or failure of the Dharavi redevelopment project could resonate far beyond the boundaries of the slum itself, shaping the future of Mumbai’s urban landscape.
