Mumbai’s Dharavi redevelopment plans include a dedicated commercial district spanning prime land to generate economic opportunity and employment for the local community. Covering nearly 600 acres in the heart of the city, the district will feature Grade‑A offices, retail spaces, co‑working facilities, hotels, and essential infrastructure to formalise and expand Dharavi’s informal economy.
An official involved in planning disclosed that, “The commercial zone will be carved out of land that is not reserved for residential rehabilitation. This will also help in upgrading existing businesses operating in Dharavi, ushering them into the formal economy. The intent is to grow the Dharavi economy by at least 3X.” This forms part of an ambitious ₹96,000‑crore redevelopment spearheaded by the Adani‑government joint venture, aiming to resettle over one million residents and formalise around 12,000 informal businesses. By introducing a self-sustaining economic nucleus within Dharavi, planners hope to generate regular revenue streams to support housing and civic improvements.
The vision includes leasing large portions to major corporations while reserving space for small industrial and retail ventures that are part of Dharavi’s current social fabric. “A hybrid integrated approach is being considered, where portions of the commercial inventory may be leased to large corporations, while designated spaces could be offered to small‑scale industrial and retail businesses that are already part of Dharavi’s economy,” the source added. Experts emphasise that transport is key to the district’s success. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is coordinating with authorities to design a multi-modal transit hub linking rail, metro, and road networks, ensuring easy access for workers and businesses.
An infrastructure planner noted, “For the commercial zone to succeed, it must be integrated with the city’s infrastructure and be positioned competitively with other business districts. Its success can create a new benchmark for urban redevelopment.” If implemented well, this hybrid model could serve as a template for eco-friendly, equitable business hubs in dense urban areas, strengthening city-wide efforts to foster zero-carbon, gender-neutral urban environments.
Preliminary work—including land assessments, resident relocation planning, and infrastructure design—has begun. If executed with transparency and social equity at its core, Dharavi’s transformation into a commercial business district could mark a new chapter in urban renewal—one that balances economic growth with inclusivity, sustainability, and formal employment generation.
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