The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has published its first official “Annexure II” list of slum households eligible for new housing, marking a major milestone in one of India’s largest urban renewal initiatives. The list covers 505 structures on railway land in Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar at Mahim, outlining options for in‑situ redevelopment in Dharavi or alternate relocation plans.
Under the policy, eligible pre‑2000 households will receive a 350 sq ft tenement at their current Dharavi site, with three of those occupants asked to pay a modest ₹40,000 transfer fee due to prior private purchases. Households established between January 2000 and January 2011 qualify for subsidised housing outside Dharavi—either at Kurla Dairy land, eastern suburbs’ salt‑pan lands, or Aksa in Malad—paying ₹2.5 lakh. Post‑2011 occupants may be shifted to the Affordable Rental Housing Scheme beyond Dharavi. These rental units accommodate those who moved in after November 2022 or on ground floors built post‑2011.
Of the 505 structures listed, officials confirmed that 101 have secured in‑situ rehabilitation, 56 may opt for ownership with a one-time transfer fee, 13 are eligible for subsidised relocation housing, and 59 may avail rental accommodation. However, 238 structures remain in limbo as households have not yet submitted complete documentation. DRP officials have issued a deadline of 5 July for required papers, warning that non‑compliance will remove them from the final eligibility list. City redevelopment experts say the early list reflects both progress and challenges ahead. Approximately 75 percent of the 505 households are slated for relocation outside Dharavi, stirring community unease. “This draft shows the government’s intent,” said a resident‑rights advocate, “but also reveals that most Dharavi residents may lose their place in Mumbai’s most iconic neighbourhood.”
DRP CEO and redevelopment authority head said the agency aims to accelerate verification of remaining submissions, anticipating further lists in coming phases. He acknowledged that multi‑agency clearances are still pending, and stressed that final allotments, construction schedules, and hand‑over plans will follow upon clearance. The list targets two clusters in Sector 6 of Dharavi Notified Area—both located on railway land and historically excluded from official redevelopment programmes. The survey conducted by DRP/SRA has mapped over 100,000 structures across Dharavi and recorded more than 80,000 households seeking eligibility documentation. “This is merely the first draft; future lists will cover more sectors as households conclude their verification,” the DRP CEO said.
Urban planners describe this phase as the project’s most crucial—balancing in‑situ redevelopment, affordable relocation, and rental solutions. The decision matrix depends heavily on construction feasibility, land availability, and household tenure patterns. With Dharavi’s development plan aiming to rehabilitate residents within the same ecosystem where possible, planners emphasise that clusters identified for relocation were those with limited scope for vertical construction or legal encumbrances. Economists note the gender‑neutral impact of the plan, estimating that each 350 sq ft tenement could accommodate 4–6 individuals—shared families often headed by women—preserving social cohesion while reducing urban vulnerability. They add that the mix of rental and ownership models reflects an inclusive approach to housing justice.
Nevertheless, displaced residents remain anxious. Many are unwilling to leave Dharavi’s intricate social fabric and local economy, where small businesses, workshops, and community networks flourish. A local organiser representing the Dharavi Bachao Andolan commented that the relocation push threatens to fragment these livelihoods and could exacerbate daily travel costs and social exclusion for wage‑earning migrants. Sustainability experts observe that the redevelopment project has the potential to transform Dharavi into a more carbon‑efficient, liveable city zone—if executed with eco‑friendly design principles such as rainwater harvesting, solar installations, natural ventilation, and community green spaces. They suggest that in‑situ tenements should ideally include these features to offset the environmental impact of partial relocations.
The final rollout of housing units will require coordination between multiple agencies: the DRP, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, local municipal utilities, rail authorities, and environmental regulators. Clear timelines are yet to emerge, but sources indicate that ground‑breaking work on in‑situ clusters could begin as early as Q4 of this year, with alternative housing sites following in 2026. As this scheme unfolds, it must remain equitable and responsive to resident concerns,” said a city‑planning specialist. “Periodic consultation, transparent timelines, and livelihood safeguards will determine whether redevelopment of Dharavi is a model for inclusive urban renewal or a cautionary tale of displacement.”
In the coming months, DRP officials will release revised eligibility lists as documentation is completed. They have pledged outreach efforts including door‑to‑door verification camps and digital registration drives to ensure every household receives due consideration. These efforts must balance urgency with empathy, as 80,000 applicants await clarity and stability. The first release of 505 households is a landmark start, ending years of bureaucratic ambiguity and signalling concrete action. However, the broader implications for Dharavi—including community resilience, ecological sustainability, and equitable urban form—will depend on how effectively stakeholders manage subsequent phases.
As the city watches closely, the unfolding Dharavi redevelopment will test Mumbai’s capacity to deliver large‑scale, people‑centred housing without sacrificing heritage, livelihoods, or the dense social networks that define this iconic district.
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