August 13, 2025: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed that land within the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) be divided equally between rehabilitation housing and for-sale buildings. The directive was issued during a review meeting on 28 May, with several key revisions approved for incorporation into the DRP Master Plan, in line with the city’s 2016 Development Plan.
Under the revised terms, the size of rental tenements for ineligible residents within Dharavi’s notified area will be increased to 350 sq ft. For eligible residents, planned unit sizes will rise from the earlier 405 sq ft to 500 sq ft, offering more living space. In addition, Mr Fadnavis ordered that Dharavi’s twin digital survey model, currently used for mapping and verification, be extended to all slums across Mumbai to improve accuracy and transparency in redevelopment schemes.
The state government has also earmarked parcels of salt pan, dumping ground, and revenue land located outside Dharavi for the construction of rental housing. Residents who settled in the area between 2011 and 15 November 2022 will be provided with 300 sq ft rental homes. These occupants will have the option to purchase their units outright or acquire ownership after 10 years through a structured payment scheme.
According to minutes of the meeting obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application, these changes are intended to ensure a fairer distribution of space and to address both the housing needs of existing residents and the commercial viability of the redevelopment project.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the most ambitious urban renewal schemes in India, seeks to transform Asia’s largest slum into a modern mixed-use township while balancing social, economic, and infrastructural priorities.
Source: Construction World
