Mumbai’s Dharavi redevelopment project has taken another step forward, with the Maharashtra government finalising the rehabilitation area for eligible residents living in buildings across the locality. Under the revised provisions, qualifying occupants will receive rehabilitation flats measuring approximately 500 sq ft, including additional fungible area over the prescribed minimum carpet area of 300 sq ft.
The final notification confirming the revised entitlement was issued by the state urban development department on Tuesday. The decision is expected to benefit thousands of residents living in private buildings and properties owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as well as those residing in chawls across Dharavi.
According to the notification, approximately 10,000 tenements are located in private buildings and BMC estate properties. Another category of chawls accounts for around 10,000 additional tenements. These residential structures form an important part of the rehabilitation component under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).
The notification has been issued under Regulation 33(9) A of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), 2034. As per the provisions, each eligible occupant will be entitled to a minimum fixed carpet area of 300 sq ft (27.88 sq metres). However, the maximum rehabilitation area will be linked to the area occupied in the existing building, subject to a ceiling of 70 sq metres, which will be provided free of cost.
For occupants whose existing residential area exceeds 70 sq metres, the construction cost will be applicable to the additional area, as specified in the notification.
The revised entitlement follows a review meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during which the Dharavi Redevelopment Project was asked to submit a proposal to the state government for providing a minimum rehabilitation carpet area of 500 sq ft. The proposal was to include the reasons supporting the higher area entitlement.
Following the review, the government decided to provide eligible residents with a minimum carpet area of 300 sq ft along with an additional 35% fungible area. This additional area takes the total rehabilitation flat size to approximately 500 sq ft.
The notification also clarifies that the fungible area granted as part of the rehabilitation entitlement will not be available for the sale component of the redevelopment project. This provision distinguishes the additional area allocated to eligible residents from the development rights available for commercial sale within the project.
The decision is significant for Dharavi, one of Mumbai’s most densely populated urban settlements, where redevelopment involves the rehabilitation of existing residents alongside the planned transformation of the locality. The project covers a complex mix of residential buildings, chawls, private properties and BMC-owned structures, making the identification of eligible occupants and determination of rehabilitation entitlements important aspects of its implementation.
With the final notification now issued, the revised rehabilitation area provides greater clarity on the housing entitlement for eligible building residents. The 500-sq-ft provision is expected to form an important part of the project’s residential rehabilitation framework as Dharavi moves towards its planned redevelopment.
