The rehabilitation of the 6.4-acre railway property in Matunga West has begun with the issuance of the commencement certificate (CC). In Phase I, four 36-story staff quarters and railway offices are being built to provide housing for railway workers. Five thousand squatters living on railway property will also receive rehabilitation.
According to SVR Srinivas, Chairman of Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), the project aims to build between 15,000 and 20,000 tenements on railway land. Alongside slum dwellers eligible for free housing, 5,000 households from authorised buildings will also be relocated. Those unable to be resettled in this phase will be rehabilitated in situ within Dharavi.
Out of the 47 acres that NMDPL purchased for INR 1,000 crore, 23 acres of railway land have so far been secured for the project. Furthermore, 21.25 acres of Kurla dairy farm have been seized. Important land purchases, such as INR 319 crore for salt pan land in Mulund, INR 58 crore for dairy land in Kurla, and an advance of INR 50 crore for 125 acres of the Deonar dumping site, have also been paid for. Before the land is used for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expected to make a decision regarding the financing of the scientific closure of the Deonar landfill, an initiative that is estimated to cost INR 2,500 crore.
The Union Cabinet has approved the transfer of 255.9 acres of salt pan land across Mulund, Bhandup, and Kanjurmarg for the project, though legal challenges remain for much of this land. Additionally, 140 acres in Madh-Marve have been sanctioned for the redevelopment initiative. Opposition has emerged from residents in Mulund, Kurla, and Madh-Marve concerning the relocation of Dharavi residents. Emphasising the social significance of the initiative, Srinivas urged residents to support the project, which aims to provide housing for all.
As authorities continue their rehabilitation surveys, the master plan for Dharavi’s redevelopment is anticipated to be finished within a month. The master plan, which will accommodate over 0.7 million people and integrate residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, was led by famous architect Hafeez Contractor in January 2024. Ten crore square feet, including property outside of Dharavi, would be used for the restoration project.
Dharavi spans 600 acres, with around 296 acres designated for redevelopment. The master plan estimates 1.4 lakh residential, commercial, and industrial units, with many being ground-floor structures that will be resettled within the new Dharavi. Upper-floor units in buildings slated for demolition will be rehabilitated elsewhere.
Families and businesses that were in existence prior to 2000 will be eligible for free accommodation in Dharavi or on 47 acres of railroad property, which would include 350 square foot tenements. Additionally, about 5,000 tenements in Shahu Nagar and Matunga Labour Camp would be moved into Dharavi. Alternative housing outside of Dharavi will be offered to residents who moved there between 2000 and 2011 for INR 2.5 lakh. Tenements that are 300 square feet in size will be available for rent to those who are not qualified for free housing.
The project allows for a significant free-sale component, with 14 crore sq feet available for sale in the open market and as Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). The TDR generated from Dharavi will be priced based on the Ready Reckoner Rate of the plot on which it is utilised.
Formerly known as Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL) is a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government. With an initial investment of INR 5,069 crore from the INR 20,000-crore renovation budget, the Adani Group was able to secure the contract. It is expected that the project will require an overall investment of INR 2-3 lakh crore.
Source: Prop News Time
