The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has begun reviewing the eligibility paperwork that people submitted by April 15, 2025, which is an extension of the original household survey cutoff date for those who missed it. Officials say that based on the documents received from locations where the survey has been completed in its entirety, the Draft Annexure-II is currently being developed. Those who did not complete the survey will be marked as “documents not received,” which could disqualify them from consideration for alternative accommodation in the future.
Despite the deadline passing, door-to-door surveys will continue in areas where tenements have already been numbered but household data has not yet been collected. The DRP reiterated its commitment to inclusivity, stating that the ongoing survey ensures every Dharavikar is considered in this major housing-for-all initiative, and that the government is keen on ensuring no one is left behind.
As per the latest survey data, nearly one lakh structures have been physically mapped in Dharavi. Out of these, approximately 94,500 have been assigned unique identification numbers, and about 89,000 structures have been digitally mapped using LiDAR technology. Household surveys have been completed for around 70,000 tenements, reflecting the project’s substantial progress.
However, officials warned that tenements which have not been numbered or whose occupants have not formally expressed interest in inclusion may be deemed illegal structures and treated accordingly under existing regulations. These units are unlikely to appear in the draft list unless a specific policy change is introduced.
The type of structure and the date of settlement determine the eligibility requirements for alternate housing under DRP. Residents of the ground level who moved in before January 1, 2000, are entitled to a free 350-square-foot house in Dharavi. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) offers a 300-square-foot house outside of Dharavi for Rs 2.5 lakh to those who move in between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011. Rentable housing outside of Dharavi will be available to occupants of ground-floor tenements erected between January 1, 2011, and November 15, 2022, as well as upper-floor buildings completed prior to that date. Additionally, these individuals will have the choice to choose a 300-square-foot flat through a hire-purchase plan.
Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government with an 80:20 ownership ratio, is responsible for carrying out the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The project, which aims to improve the living conditions of thousands of people while juggling legal, technological, and social problems, is still one of Asia’s biggest and most intricate urban rehabilitation initiatives due to its scope and ambition.
Source: The Free Press Journal
