June 11, 2025: A stench of decay and waste still lingers along Dharavi’s 90-feet main road — an expected reality in what is considered Asia’s largest slum, housing over half a million people per square kilometre. Yet, SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, describes the upcoming transformation as a bold step towards a slum-free Mumbai.
Valued at Rs 3 lakh crore, the project’s scope is ambitious. “The whole concept is ‘walk to work’,” says Srinivas. The master plan features road widths ranging from 9 to 36 metres, with a dense internal network ensuring connectivity to arterial routes without crowding the main road. Residents will access all amenities — from parks and promenades to business hubs — within a 15-minute walking radius.
One-third of the project’s funding is earmarked for infrastructure and rehabilitation. Home-to-home sewage lines will be installed by Navbharat Mega Developers, while major pipelines will be handled by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. A one-time Rs 40,000 maintenance corpus per tenement and 10% commercial area rental will help maintain the new buildings.
The special purpose vehicle (SPV) will also revitalise 19,000 local business units, offering a five-year tax holiday to those adopting pollution-free technology. The goal: an eco-conscious business district with global export potential.
Dharavi’s strategic location — near all three railway lines, bus depots and metro routes — is seen as a major plus. Talks are underway to extend Metro Line 11 from Wadala to Dharavi, improving access to Thane.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised equal access to amenities for both rehabilitated residents and new buyers. While ineligible residents will be given rental homes elsewhere, eligible families will remain until new housing is built.
The joint venture aims to launch its first free-sale residential phase by year-end, with over 50% of units in the affordable and mid-income categories.
Source: Finacial Express
