The comprehensive household survey underpinning Dharavi’s landmark redevelopment project is scheduled to officially close on 12 August. However, officials have clarified that late entries will still be accepted from residents who can present valid documentation at designated centres, ensuring no genuine claimant is left out of the city’s largest urban renewal effort.
The door-to-door survey, launched in March 2024 by the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), aims to map eligible residents for rehabilitation under a massive housing and infrastructure overhaul. With over 110,000 tenements already surveyed across Dharavi and surrounding zones, the civic body is now pushing for final data consolidation before initiating the next phase of resettlement planning. As per current eligibility norms, those who can verify residence in Dharavi before 1 January 2000 are entitled to 350 sq ft homes within the redeveloped township. Residents who settled between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2011 will be allotted 300 sq ft flats outside Dharavi under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, either for rent or purchase at subsidised rates.
Project officials confirmed that although physical surveys will cease after the deadline, residents from missed areas—including Kumbharwada, Compound 13, and private land parcels—can still apply via the helpline or submit documents at resettlement camps. All submissions post-deadline will be individually verified before being added to the records. Experts working on the project describe this flexible approach as crucial for inclusive redevelopment, especially given the complexities of population density and informal landholding in Dharavi. While fieldwork logistics have been challenging, especially in pockets with undocumented or overlapping claims, the priority remains ensuring that no long-time resident is inadvertently excluded.
The Maharashtra government has also greenlit rehabilitation provisions for commercial tenants—even those operating from non-owned premises. This progressive move ensures that small traders and micro-enterprises integral to Dharavi’s economy are accommodated within 10 per cent of the commercial space earmarked in the new township design. Urban planners have noted that such large-scale resettlement schemes often risk social fragmentation if not handled with sensitivity and sustained public engagement. In response, the DRP team has been deploying community workers and multilingual outreach to ensure that all residents, including migrants and informal settlers, understand their rights and the documentation process.
With the cut-off date nearing, residents are being urged to act quickly to secure their housing rights. Officials emphasise that late participation will still be honoured, but verification timelines will tighten as the project moves into construction and allocation stages. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is envisioned as a sustainable, integrated township equipped with modern housing, commercial centres, transport connectivity, and civic services—marking a pivotal shift in Mumbai’s urban development narrative towards equitable and inclusive growth.
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