The long-awaited redevelopment of Dharavi has moved forward after the Maharashtra state government approved the draft redevelopment plan, marking a major procedural milestone in the ambitious urban renewal initiative. The decision was taken during a recent high-level meeting chaired by then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
With this approval, the draft plan will now be submitted to multiple statutory and planning authorities for further clearances. The development comes nearly nine years after the project was first cleared in principle in February 2004, highlighting the prolonged nature of negotiations and planning around one of Asia’s largest informal settlements.
The approval follows the publication of the draft framework for sectors 1 to 5 in April, along with hearings on nearly 750 objections and suggestions raised by residents, political groups, and agencies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Officials indicated that the plan will also be reviewed by key stakeholders, including the civic body, which controls a significant portion of land in Dharavi that has long been encroached upon.
The meeting, which lasted around three hours, saw participation from senior officials representing departments such as housing, urban development, law and judiciary, environment, revenue, MMRDA, BMC, MHADA, SRA, and the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA). Despite differing views from resident groups and political stakeholders, the housing department proceeded with the plan as structured.
A key point of contention has been eligibility criteria for rehabilitation. Earlier estimates suggested that only about 40% of current Dharavi residents qualified for resettlement. However, following a government decision to include slum structures existing prior to 1995—and extend eligibility considerations up to the year 2000—this proportion could rise to nearly 60%.
Several issues remain unresolved, including opposition to MHADA handling redevelopment in Sector 5 (spread across 23 acres) and concerns over rehabilitation for residents occupying mezzanine-level structures built within existing slums. Officials confirmed that these categories have not yet been included in the rehabilitation framework.
Dharavi spans roughly 460 acres between Matunga and Sion and is home to over 60,000 families, with an estimated population of around 2 lakh people. Of the total land, approximately 151 acres is expected to be used for rehabilitation, while the remaining area is planned for infrastructure and public amenities.
Source: Mid-day
