Mulund Residents Protest Dharavi Rehabilitation Project in Their Area
Mulund, a well-established suburb of Mumbai, have raised strong objections to the Maharashtra government’s decision to implement the rehabilitation of Dharavi’s residents in their area.
The concern primarily revolves around the impact this project could have on local resources, infrastructure, and the overall demographic makeup of Mulund. The Maharashtra government has identified approximately 256 acres of decommissioned salt pan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup for the ambitious Dharavi redevelopment project. This land is meant to accommodate those residents from Dharavi who are not eligible for housing within the slum’s redevelopment boundaries. Specifically, 58.5 acres of Jamasp Salt Works land in Mulund has been allocated for the construction of new homes for Dharavi’s residents. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has put up a sign on this land in Mulund East, which has sparked alarm among local residents. They fear that the new development will put a severe strain on the already burdened infrastructure of Mulund, especially in terms of water supply, transportation, and roads.
Advocate Sagar Devre, a local resident, raised concerns over the situation. “The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL) has paid Rs 319 crore for 58.5 acres of land in the salt pan in Mulund. Now, a board has come up saying that this land belongs to SRA. This confirms our fear about houses for residents of Dharavi being constructed here,” Devre said. Mulund residents are particularly worried about the strain this rehabilitation will place on local resources. “The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already constructed 7,439 homes on a small plot in Mulund East. Around 40,000 people will be brought here. Adding to this, Dharavi residents will be brought here on a 58.5-acre project. This will change our area and put stress on resources like water and roads,” said Gangadhar Tulsanakar, a Mulund resident. The rehabilitation initiative is part of the larger Dharavi redevelopment project, which aims to transform the slum into a modern, sustainable urban area. However, for the residents of Mulund, the fear of overcrowding, rising pressure on infrastructure, and the possible change in the character of the locality is a point of serious concern. At the time of publication, DRPPL Chief Executive Officer SVR Srinivas had not commented on the matter. Additionally, local MLA Mihir Kotecha could not be contacted for his input on the issue.
As the debate around the Dharavi rehabilitation project in Mulund continues, residents and officials alike must consider how best to balance the needs of redevelopment with the well-being of local communities.
