Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Dharavi have extended their support to the ongoing state government-led survey of informal tenants in Asia's largest slum, while accusing non-locals of attempting to derail the $3 billion redevelopment project by spreading misinformation. These NGOs have written letters to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), a Maharashtra government body overseeing the project in partnership with the Adani Group.
Eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations, involved in diverse welfare activities such as health, education, and women empowerment, recently met with DRPPL (Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt. Ltd.) CEO and expressed their support for the survey. Noor Mohammed Khan of the Global Giving Foundation raised 13 key questions, ranging from free maintenance to the fate of residents who arrived after the 2000 cutoff date for eligibility.
The Enlighten Foundation, in a letter to DRPPL CEO SVR Srinivas, emphasized that residents and commercial owners are not against the survey or the redevelopment project. "The opposition comes from a small group of non-locals with vested interests," said Rajeshkumar Panirselvam, president of the Enlighten Foundation.
Local residents and associations, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj CHS, also voiced their support for the project, which has been delayed for decades. "Many generations have waited for this redevelopment, and now we are finally seeing positive steps forward," stated the association in its letter.
The survey, which began on March 18, 2024, has already covered over 11,000 tenements through door-to-door visits, and more than 30,000 tenements, including residential, commercial, and religious structures, have been numbered. The mapping of Dharavi's 600 acres is essential for the redevelopment, which is expected to take seven years. Eligible residents will be rehoused in 350 sq ft flats within Dharavi, while ineligible residents will be relocated elsewhere in Mumbai.
Key local groups, such as the Thevar Samajam, representing Dharavi's Tamil community, have expressed their excitement about the redevelopment and their desire to be part of the transformation. Youth groups, including the Dharavikar Iron Group and Om Shri Gauri Mitra Mandal, have volunteered as facilitators for the survey, citing the urgent need for redevelopment to provide basic amenities to future generations.
The All India Police Jan Seva Sanghatana has also urged the Dharavi administration to address misinformation about the project through direct engagement with residents. Local residents have even requested legal action against those opposing the survey process, highlighting the strong local support for the redevelopment.
With over 40 DRP survey teams working in challenging conditions, including heavy rainfall and waterlogged lanes, the survey aims to leave no tenement unaccounted for. The number of teams is expected to increase to 100 in the near future. This comprehensive mapping is crucial to ensure the success of Maharashtra's first-ever policy where both eligible and ineligible residents will receive homes.
After decades of stalled attempts, the Dharavi redevelopment plan, initiated through a global tender, is gaining momentum with increasing local support. This project is more than just real estate; it represents a transformative journey for one of Mumbai’s most densely populated areas.