The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, hailed as one of India’s most ambitious urban redevelopment projects, has now reached a pivotal stage after the eligibility document submission deadline of April 15 was closed. Authorities have affirmed that the verification and paperwork finalisation process is now completely under way and that no more extensions will be given.
With the administrative focus shifting from data collection to implementation, households and commercial entities that failed to submit the required documents by the deadline will now be classified as unauthorised occupants. This move signals a departure from earlier stages of the project, where appeals for leniency were occasionally entertained. Officials now assert that the Dharavi Redevelopment must proceed as a time-bound public housing transformation programme, designed to provide sustainable urban infrastructure and housing justice in one of Mumbai’s most densely populated zones.
According to project authorities, nearly one lakh residential and commercial units have already undergone physical measurement, with around 94,500 units issued unique identification numbers. In a move towards digital transparency, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has been deployed to map approximately 89,000 structures, with on-the-ground verification completed for 70,000 of them.
The creation of Annexure-2, a critical document that will list verified occupants, is now in progress. This annexure will also include a dedicated section for those who either refused cooperation or failed to submit documentation—labelled as “documents not received.” These individuals stand to be excluded from rehabilitation unless exceptional circumstances apply.
While the hard deadline may appear sudden, officials argue it is essential to preserve both the credibility and momentum of the project. With plans to rehouse over one million residents in modern, regulated housing, the broader goal remains to transform Dharavi into an integrated mixed-use urban space, combining affordable housing, commercial areas, and modern amenities.
In areas where delays were caused by legal or logistical issues, surveys are still ongoing to ensure no genuine claimant is left behind. These efforts are aimed at identifying legitimate residents who may have been overlooked due to unavoidable complications.
The administration has also addressed concerns over upper-floor residents in multi-storey slum buildings. In certain cases, affidavits have been requested to verify legitimate occupancy, with the aim of ensuring fair inclusion without adding procedural burdens. The government’s vision, officials reiterate, is “a rightful home for every eligible resident.”
Technological tools such as LiDAR mapping and geotagging have played a pivotal role in ensuring transparency and accuracy in occupant verification. This data-driven, smart governance approach marks a policy shift towards digital urban planning, aimed at reducing human error and building trust in a historically delayed project.
Despite the progress, some resistance remains from segments of the community concerned about displacement or sceptical of government assurances. Officials are addressing this through targeted communication, maintaining that continued non-cooperation will ultimately disadvantage those who refuse to participate, as relocation and construction efforts are already in motion.
With construction initiated in select areas and layout plans nearing finalisation, the next few months will be crucial in shaping the future of Dharavi. The administration’s firm stance on documentation deadlines reflects both a developmental urgency and a renewed commitment to moving the project beyond planning into tangible transformation.
Source: Urban Acres
