The redevelopment of Dharavi Asia’s largest informal settlement is underway, promising not just infrastructural upliftment but inclusive and sustainable housing for all affected residents.
The project, which has been described by top state officials as a model for urban redevelopment, aims to rehabilitate over one lakh residents and reimagine one of Mumbai’s most densely populated areas into a planned urban neighbourhood. The state government has earmarked 40 acres of railway land in Matunga to begin the first phase of the resettlement process. This land parcel is being used to construct homes for approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people who will be displaced during the initial phase of redevelopment. According to project officials, the construction is already in progress, marking the first tangible milestone in the long-awaited transformation of Dharavi.
The project is being pitched as a cornerstone not just for Mumbai but for other urban areas across Maharashtra. Officials have reiterated that no resident will be rendered homeless and that everyone currently residing within the project boundary will receive housing under the rehabilitation plan. The comprehensive strategy includes both the redevelopment of existing slum areas and the reconstruction of aged railway properties, ensuring that affected families are relocated in proximity to their original homes, maintaining community continuity. In parallel with housing, the state’s vision includes the development of essential civic and social infrastructure. Planned upgrades span roads, sanitation systems, clean drinking water facilities, schools, health centres, and public spaces. The integration of these elements is crucial for achieving the broader objective of building a sustainable, equitable, and livable urban environment.
More than 70,000 housing units have already been surveyed as part of a detailed enumeration process, with efforts ongoing to cover all eligible households. The survey is expected to wrap up in the coming months, excluding the monsoon period when fieldwork is generally paused due to logistical challenges. Once complete, this data will guide the eligibility and allocation of housing units, ensuring transparency and fairness. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is being positioned as an antidote to decades of piecemeal interventions and unfulfilled promises. The state’s current approach emphasises an integrated model — blending rehabilitation, redevelopment, and regeneration — that aligns with the long-term goals of carbon neutrality and inclusive growth. By replacing unplanned sprawl with high-density vertical housing, the plan seeks to preserve land, reduce urban sprawl, and allow for better public transport access, thereby lowering the city’s carbon footprint.
Further, officials have likened the eventual redevelopment outcome to Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex, envisioning a commercial-residential zone that fosters economic activity alongside improved living standards. In this vision, Dharavi’s future is not one of displacement but of transformation — from marginalisation to mainstream integration. Critics, however, have raised concerns over implementation timelines, rehabilitation quality, and potential social displacement. The government has responded by assuring that the rehabilitation process will precede demolitions, and that built structures will meet modern standards of safety and amenities. Moreover, sustainability and climate resilience are now key considerations in the project design — a significant departure from earlier models of slum redevelopment that often ignored environmental concerns.
If successfully executed, Dharavi’s redevelopment could serve as a benchmark for urban renewal across India — demonstrating how cities can uphold equity while advancing infrastructure. With proper execution and community involvement, this could also address long-standing urban inequality and reaffirm the right to housing as a central pillar of sustainable urban development.
Dharavi redevelopment moves ahead with housing
