The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) represents a paradigm change in the Indian housing sector, especially in the approach towards occupants residing on upper floors in informal colonies. Historically, such occupants have been denied any form of rehabilitation; however, the DRP is contemplating their inclusion into the housing assistance program, albeit through an eligibility scheme. While the policy is positive in its intent, the ground floor eligibility criterion creates both rationality and complexity.
Policy Framework and Cut-Off Criteria
The essence of the policy is captured in a resolution from the government that was passed on October 4, 2024, setting out the conditions for rehabilitation under the DRP. Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of this resolution is the coverage of residents living in upper floors that can prove residency prior to the deadline date of November 15, 2022. Beneficiaries who qualify for this scheme will be provided with 300 sq ft housing units situated outside Dharavi but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
- Cut-off date for eligibility: November 15, 2022
- Housing size: 300 sq ft units in MMR
- Ownership options: hire-purchase or upfront payment
- A Shift from Traditional Rehabilitation Models
It is being said that this inclusion of upper-floor residents in slum redevelopment policies in India has never been seen before. However, what needs to be considered is the complex process of determining the eligibility criteria. The eligibility is established using an intricate hierarchy of documents where the residents have to prove their residency through different papers. In this hierarchy, electricity bills that bear the address of the upper floor and belong to the applicant before and after the cut-off date form the most important piece of evidence.
As it was mentioned above, this initiative marks a break from previous approaches used for slum rehabilitation. According to one official, “The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is doing what no slum rehabilitation scheme in India has done before, offering homes to upper-floor residents,” as per HT.
Document Hierarchy for Eligibility
Identity cards issued by the government include the Aadhaar card, passport, ration card, driving license, or voter identification, if they bear the address of the upper floor prior to the deadline date. These identity cards are at the core of proving eligibility and act as more reliable evidence of continuous residency.
- Priority 1: Electricity bills (before & after cut-off)
- Priority 2: Registered rent/purchase agreements
- Priority 3: Supporting address documents
- Priority 4: Government ID proof
- Priority 5: Affidavit (lowest priority)
- Role of Affidavits and Ground-Floor Dependency
But it is in the fifth and last category where the greatest dispute arises, which are affidavits. Applicants who have no documents other than those provided by the higher-ranked categories normally resort to affidavits. Although affidavits provide the means to join the list, a requirement is attached to it: it should be certified by an eligible ground-floor resident.
- Affidavit must be certified by ground-floor resident
- Invalid if ground-floor household is disqualified
- The majority of applicants belong to this category
If the ground-floor resident fails to qualify under the scheme—due to inadequate documentation or disqualification for other reasons, the affidavit submitted by the upper-floor resident becomes invalid. In effect, the eligibility of one household is directly tied to the status of another. Officials have clarified that in such cases, “an affidavit will not be considered,” effectively closing the door for many applicants who rely solely on this form of documentation.
Fairness vs Practical Challenges
This interdependence poses some critical ethical issues regarding feasibility and fairness. On the one hand, the condition serves to ensure the verification of claims and prevents the possibility of fraud. It adds an element of responsibility through ensuring that the claims of people living on upper levels are backed by proof of residence on lower levels. On the other hand, it is quite difficult for people on higher levels who have been living separately but without proper evidence of residence for years.
To make the situation more complex, there are instances when several families live in different apartments on the same upper floor. This policy deals with this issue by making it mandatory for all the apartments to provide their respective documents in the higher priority groups. In another scenario, if the families decide to be considered as one group, they can submit a joint affidavit in the fifth priority group.
- Separate documents required for each unit, or
- Option to apply as a single unit via affidavit
One Family, One House Rule
Another important clause in the policy is the “One house for one family.” This will restrict multiple applications by people from the same family, such as husband-wife or parent-child. Moreover, if someone owns a property from another similar scheme of housing, he/she is not eligible for the benefit under this scheme.
One house per family rule
- No separate claims by spouse/children
- Existing property owners in MMR not eligible
- A Step Toward Inclusive Urban Policy
Although challenging, the strategy employed by the DRP is a remarkable development within urban policy. By recognizing the presence and right to participate in the scheme of the upper floor dwellers, it questions decades-old policies which have consistently overlooked a huge part of the slum population. Indeed, officials claim that the scheme is “the most humane and inclusive urban renewal project of all time.”
However, the effectiveness of the policy will hinge on its execution. The focus on documentation in such a scenario can easily exclude the most eligible people, while the requirement for confirmation from the ground floors can cause numerous conflicts. The inclusion of upper floor inhabitants into the scheme through the DRP eligibility criteria is both progressive and challenging.
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