The Dharavi Redevelopment Project’s efforts to clear Sector 6 ahead of the monsoon are encountering resistance from residents, slowing the process of vacating land earmarked for rehabilitation housing. Authorities began the exercise in April to relocate nearly 22,000 residents from the area, but progress has remained gradual amid ongoing negotiations and demands from affected families.
Spread across approximately 35 acres on Matunga Railway land, Sector 6 comprises localities including Meghwadi, SVP Nagar, Azad Nagar A and B, Azad Nagar C, Kamla Raman Nagar, and the residential buildings of Shahu Nagar.
This week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued evacuation notices to around 900 households in Shahu Nagar. As occupants of planned housing, these residents are eligible for larger rehabilitation units compared to slum dwellers. They have been offered temporary accommodation in MHADA buildings located in Sector 5 or a monthly rental allowance of Rs 22,000 for 275 sq ft homes and Rs 30,000 for 375 sq ft homes, along with a shifting allowance.
Despite these provisions, officials associated with the redevelopment project said several residents have opposed relocation and are seeking larger rehabilitation units. According to project officials, some residents currently occupying 375 sq ft homes have demanded apartments ranging from 700 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft.
“The residents are entitled to homes of 400 sqft, but the government has raised the bar to 500 sqft,” said a DRP official.
In March, the Urban Development Department notified that occupants of planned buildings and chawls in Dharavi would be eligible for free rehabilitation homes ranging from a minimum of 500 sq ft to a maximum of 750 sq ft, with additional area available upon payment of construction costs.
Resistance has also been reported in other parts of Sector 6. While around 100 residents in Meghwadi have already signed agreements with the project authorities, discussions continue in Azad Nagar, SVP Nagar and Kamla Raman Nagar.
“The reason people are resisting is because most are being pushed to accept the option of monthly rent in this transit period, which is Rs 18,000 for ground floor slums and Rs 15,000 for top floor slum homes,” said Meghwadi resident Vimal Verma.
“But this is not enough for homes in central Mumbai. Alternative homes being offered by the DRP are far away in the suburbs, which disrupts people’s lives as they are away from their homes and schools. So, people are stuck.”
Source: The Indian Express
