The planned groundbreaking ceremony (bhoomipujan) for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project was cancelled following strong protests by the Dharavi Rescue Movement (DRM), an all-party coalition opposing the redevelopment plan. Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL) had initially scheduled a low-key bhoomipujan during the Ganesh festivities, but the intense resistance from local activists forced a change in plans.
A spokesperson for DRPPL clarified, “Our contractor is only performing a puja for his equipment. There is no bhoomipujan.” This statement came in response to growing speculation and confusion regarding the ceremony. On Wednesday, September 11, DRM members staged a symbolic hunger strike near Matunga Labour Camp, voicing their opposition to the redevelopment plan. The protest comes after a recent decision by the Union Cabinet to transfer 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund, Bhandup, and Kanjurmarg to the Maharashtra state government, which had requested the land to facilitate the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
Following this decision, DRPPL announced plans for a bhoomipujan to mark the beginning of the first phase of construction of rehabilitation buildings in Matunga. However, those opposed to the project vowed to disrupt the ceremony. The DRM has raised concerns over the lack of assurances for Dharavi residents, arguing that the government has not yet committed to a “house-for-house” or “shop-for-shop” guarantee. Activists claim that the current plan aims to displace existing residents by declaring many of them ineligible for rehabilitation and creating a new version of Dharavi, devoid of its original inhabitants. “This is a conspiracy to declare most Dharavi residents ineligible, force them out of Dharavi, and create another Dharavi in its place,” said one activist.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has long been a contentious issue, with many residents and local groups fearing displacement and loss of livelihood. Despite assurances from government and development officials, opposition groups remain steadfast in their demand for clearer guarantees and more inclusive plans. The cancellation of the bhoomipujan reflects the ongoing tension and uncertainty surrounding the future of one of Asia’s largest slums.
