Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the first phase of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, comprising around 10,000 homes, is expected to be completed within the next 18 months. He described the project as an economic transformation initiative that goes beyond housing by integrating employment, business and modern infrastructure.
Addressing the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis said the redevelopment plan envisions nearly 95 million sq ft of development, combining residential, commercial and economic activities to transform Asia’s largest slum into a modern urban hub.
He said all eligible residents would receive 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi, while those covered under the extended 2011 eligibility criteria would also be rehabilitated after paying the prescribed amount of Rs 2.5 lakh. Residents found ineligible would not be relocated far from the area, but would be provided housing at nearby locations.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government has identified 19 cluster redevelopment projects across Mumbai to facilitate planned urban renewal. Work on the first redevelopment cluster has already commenced, with the model expected to modernise ageing buildings while improving civic infrastructure and preserving open spaces.
Highlighting other infrastructure initiatives, Fadnavis said the underground tunnel connecting north and south Mumbai is scheduled for completion by October 2027. The project is expected to provide signal-free connectivity, ease congestion on major roads and reduce travel time to the city’s commercial districts.
To address parking challenges, he said an underground robotic parking facility with space for 640 cars and 112 two-wheelers is under development, while another underground parking project has also been proposed. The government is also studying advanced parking technologies used internationally.
On healthcare, Fadnavis said the state plans to add nearly 8,000 hospital beds and has introduced an integrated Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) to digitally connect hospitals.
He added that the government aims to build 7.8 lakh homes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by 2030, with construction already underway for more than 2.39 lakh units and planning in progress for another 5.43 lakh homes.
Source: Business Standard
