Mumbai witnessed a determined public march on Thursday as residents from an already overcrowded neighbourhood took to the streets to oppose a proposed relocation plan that would resettle families from Dharavi into the Mother Dairy land in Kurla. The demonstration, which began in Nehru Nagar and was stopped at Azad Maidan, was driven by concerns over population density, environmental degradation, and the erosion of urban liveability.
Residents say their locality is already stretched beyond its capacity, with the original housing designed for far fewer families than currently occupy the area. “Living conditions are deteriorating due to congestion,” said a community representative, adding that the relocation plan would intensify pressure on basic amenities, mobility, and public spaces.\
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The protest also raised urgent environmental concerns. The Mother Dairy land is home to over 1,100 mature trees, which residents fear will be felled to make way for high-density housing blocks. Environmental experts caution that such large-scale tree loss could exacerbate urban heat, reduce air quality, and worsen flooding risks in low-lying parts of the city. Activists point out that the area was once earmarked for a public garden, a promise now seemingly abandoned. Civic planners and urban development analysts stress that any resettlement project must be balanced with adequate infrastructure upgrades. “Population relocation without parallel investments in transport, drainage, healthcare, and green cover creates unsustainable living conditions,” said an urban policy expert. The absence of a clear environmental impact assessment and lack of consultation with local stakeholders have further fuelled opposition.
The march’s destination, originally intended to be the Chief Minister’s residence in Malabar Hill, was altered when police restricted movement at Azad Maidan. Protest leaders expressed frustration at what they described as the administration’s unwillingness to engage meaningfully with citizens. “Ignoring letters, skipping consultations, and halting peaceful marches undermines public trust,” noted one resident. While the state government maintains that the Dharavi redevelopment and relocation projects are designed to improve living standards for thousands of families, urban policy observers say that a central challenge remains, striking a balance between redevelopment, equity, and environmental sustainability.
The protesters emphasised they were not opposed to redevelopment itself but demanded that planning should prioritise the quality of life for both current and incoming residents. The call for a re-evaluation of the relocation plan reflects a broader push in Mumbai for more inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban growth, a demand that resonates with cities across India facing similar pressures. The outcome of this standoff will likely set a precedent for how Mumbai negotiates the delicate trade-off between economic development and environmental stewardship in its dense urban core.
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Mumbai locals protest Dharavi relocation citing Kurla overcrowding crisis
