The Dharavi Redevelopment Master Plan received the state government’s approval on May 28, according to a statement from the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Maharashtra government has approved an ambitious master plan for the redevelopment of Dharavi, one of Mumbai’s largest informal settlements. Here are five essential points to understand about this transformative project.
The master plan provides a detailed framework to integrate residential, commercial, and industrial spaces while rehabilitating Dharavi’s residents. Covering over 600 acres, the plan aims to modernise infrastructure without disrupting Dharavi’s unique socio-economic character. Nearly 300 acres are earmarked for redevelopment and rehabilitation. Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited, a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, appointed renowned architect Hafeez Contractor in January 2024 to lead the initiative.
The plan estimates 72,000 tenants qualify for rehabilitation. Of these, more than 13,000 units are non-residential, with the remainder residential. Under Maharashtra’s Slum Rehabilitation Act, every eligible resident receives one 350 sq ft unit, an upgrade from the 300 sq ft units in previous projects. Those deemed ineligible will be relocated to rental housing outside Dharavi under a hire-purchase scheme.
The master plan covers 251 hectares, with 108.99 hectares designated as net developable area. Of this, 47.20 hectares are reserved for rehabilitation, and 47.95 hectares for saleable residential, commercial, and retail units. Around 40 hectares are dedicated to open spaces.
As of 19 May, a door-to-door survey of 56,971 structures has been completed, with the remainder underway. The survey will finalise tenant eligibility and is expected to conclude within two months.
The rehabilitation segment alone is estimated to cost over Rs 95,000 crore, with construction due to start from January 2025 and complete by January 2032. The entire project, including the saleable portions, is expected to span 17 years with a total investment of approximately Rs 3 lakh crore, according to SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
Source: Hindustan Times
