The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) in Mumbai is progressing with plans to rehabilitate around 150,000 tenements in one of the city’s largest slum areas. Led by Adani Group’s Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), the project aims to transform Dharavi into a modern urban hub.
As of February 12, NMDPL has numbered 85,000 tenements and completed surveys for over 50,000 homes. According to the company, most structures in Dharavi have expanded vertically to G+2 levels, requiring more homes to be included in the rehabilitation process. This represents a significant increase from earlier surveys, which recorded only 60,000 eligible tenements.
To speed up the survey process and address local concerns, the authorities have introduced a new approach. After three unsuccessful survey attempts, a fourth visit will be the final chance for residents to provide necessary documents. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility for the program.
The project aims to provide in-situ rehabilitation, with eligible residents offered homes within Dharavi, while those ineligible will be relocated to new townships within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). NMDPL has emphasized that these new townships will focus on community living and quality infrastructure, unlike previous SRA projects that placed residents in high-rise slums.
While some residents have voiced concerns about the timing of surveys and the presence of police with survey teams, NMDPL has assured that the project is a significant step toward Dharavi’s transformation. “This redevelopment will set a global standard for slum rehabilitation,” a spokesperson stated.
The master plan for the redevelopment includes comprehensive infrastructure improvements, such as roads, bridges, green spaces, power supply, water, sewerage, and multi-modal transport hubs. The plan also integrates residential, commercial, and industrial zones, with essential services like schools, healthcare centers, and shopping complexes.
Additionally, the redevelopment will preserve local businesses and provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the new urban landscape. Experts believe that the successful execution of the project could serve as a model for slum redevelopment across India, demonstrating that well-planned, inclusive communities can be created without displacing residents.
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