6.4-Acre Railway Land Approved FOR Dharavi Redevelopment Project, Construction Work Set to Begin Soon

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is set to begin its construction phase in the coming days, with the 6.4-acre railway land parcel in Matunga West receiving the commencement certificate (CC), marking a significant milestone for the ambitious project. SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, confirmed that the project is moving forward as the CC for the first phase of the development has been granted. This development opens the path for both rehabilitation and construction to proceed.

Located in central Mumbai, the 6.4-acre land parcel is a crucial component of the first phase of the redevelopment. Once completed, the project will provide new housing and improve living conditions for more than 700,000 people living in Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Asia. Dharavi has long been characterized by overcrowding and poor infrastructure, which has contributed to its challenging living conditions.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is regarded as one of the largest urban renewal efforts in the world. The project's primary goal is to redevelop over 600 acres of land, with 296 acres designated for reconstruction. In addition to providing modern housing, the project aims to upgrade infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. The plan also includes rehabilitation of both eligible and ineligible tenements, addressing the needs of the existing residents while fostering urban growth.

Srinivas noted that authorities had completed an initial survey of approximately 10,000 tenements, which are either eligible or ineligible for rehabilitation. The final number of tenements will be confirmed once the survey concludes in March 2025. While the redevelopment project has made significant strides, there are challenges remaining, such as the need for additional land to accommodate the ineligible tenements. The government has applied for 550 acres of land to address this requirement, though no land has been acquired as of yet.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has drawn considerable attention due to its scope and the involvement of the Adani Group. In November 2022, the Adani Group won the bid for the project with an initial investment of ₹5,069 crore. The total project cost is estimated to exceed ₹20,000 crore. The project is being implemented as a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group.

As part of the redevelopment effort, the Adani Group has engaged prominent city planners, including Hafeez Contractor, to oversee the design and planning of the new urban layout. The project aims to address the social and economic challenges faced by the residents while creating a more sustainable and organized urban environment.

While Dharavi is often associated with its informal industries and dense residential areas, it has also gained international recognition due to its portrayal in the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The area’s redevelopment has been a long-standing goal for local authorities, and the granting of the commencement certificate marks the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s transformation.

The redevelopment of Dharavi is expected to take several years, with the first phase expected to pave the way for further development. The project not only holds promise for the residents of Dharavi but also offers a model for other urban renewal projects in India. It highlights the need for large-scale planning to address the challenges posed by rapidly growing urban populations and informally developed areas.

As construction gets underway, the focus will be on meeting the housing and infrastructure needs of the people of Dharavi while ensuring that the redevelopment is carried out efficiently. The successful implementation of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project could serve as a turning point for slum rehabilitation efforts across India, bringing positive change to one of Mumbai’s most densely populated and impoverished areas.