The deadline for Dharavi residents to submit documentation proving eligibility for free housing under Mumbai’s ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has officially passed, leaving many in limbo.
Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), the special purpose vehicle overseeing the project, had set April 15 as the final date for document submission. Residents who failed to comply are now at risk of being classified as ineligible, a move that has sparked concern among community advocates and urban planners alike. The DRP aims to transform Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, into a modern urban enclave. However, the project’s execution has been fraught with challenges, including resistance from residents wary of displacement and skepticism over the project’s transparency
According to NMDPL, over 94,500 structures have been physically mapped, with approximately 89,000 digitally surveyed using LiDAR technology. A household survey has been completed for 70,000 tenements. Despite these efforts, a significant number of residents remain unaccounted for, either due to non-cooperation or logistical hurdles. Officials have stated that those who did not participate in the survey will be listed under “documents not received” in the draft Annexure II, a comprehensive list categorizing households as eligible or ineligible for free housing. This classification has raised alarms among residents and activists who argue that the process lacks adequate transparency and fails to consider the complexities of life in informal settlements.
Community advocates have criticized the deadline, arguing that it imposes an undue burden on residents who may lack the resources or awareness to comply promptly. They contend that the government’s approach undermines the project’s stated goal of inclusive urban development. In response to these concerns, NMDPL has emphasized its commitment to a “housing-for-all” policy, stating that the survey will continue in areas where tenements have been numbered but door-to-door inputs remain incomplete. Officials assert that the government’s intention is not to exclude anyone but to ensure that all eligible residents benefit from the redevelopment.
However, the project’s critics remain unconvinced. They point to the lack of public consultations and the absence of a finalized master plan as evidence of the project’s top-down approach. The master plan, which is expected to be published within a month, will serve as a roadmap for the rehabilitation of Dharavi’s estimated one million residents. The DRP’s scale and ambition are unprecedented, with plans to construct 10 crore sq. ft. of rehabilitation structures and 14 crore sq. ft. of saleable property. The project’s estimated investment stands at ₹3 lakh crore, with NMDPL having already spent nearly ₹2,000 crore and approving an additional ₹2,000 crore for upcoming development.
Despite the project’s potential to transform Dharavi, concerns persist over the treatment of ineligible residents. Under the current plan, those deemed ineligible will be provided rental housing on salt pan lands in the eastern suburbs, on dairy land at Kurla, the Deonar dumping ground, and at Madh-Marve in Malad. These locations have been criticized for their proximity to waste management facilities and lack of infrastructure, raising questions about the quality of life for relocated residents. Environmentalists have also raised alarms about the proposed relocation sites, particularly the Deonar dumping ground, which is one of the top 22 methane spots in the country, releasing an average of 6,202 kg of methane every hour. The Central Pollution Control Board’s 2021 guidelines prohibit building houses, schools, and hospitals on or within 100 meters of closed landfills, disqualifying Deonar from being used.
As the DRP moves forward, the project’s success will hinge on its ability to balance ambitious urban renewal with the rights and needs of Dharavi’s residents. Ensuring transparency, fostering community engagement, and prioritizing sustainable development will be crucial in transforming Dharavi into a model for inclusive urban regeneration.
Dharavi Residents Face Uncertainty as Housing Deadline Ends
