Dharavi NGOs Back Redevelopment Amid Opposition

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Mumbai’s Dharavi have expressed strong support for the ongoing state government-led survey of informal tenants in the sprawling slum, which is set to undergo a major redevelopment.

This initiative, led by the Maharashtra government and executed in collaboration with the Adani Group, aims to rejuvenate Asia’s largest slum through a $3-billion project. In recent communications with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), these NGOs have voiced their backing for the survey and criticised attempts by non-local entities to hinder the project. According to their letters to state authorities, these external actors are allegedly spreading misinformation to delay or derail the redevelopment efforts.

Eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations, engaged in various activities including health, education, and women’s empowerment, have met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL). They affirmed the local residents’ support for the survey and the broader redevelopment initiative. An official of the Global Giving Foundation and All India Police Jan Seva Sangathna raised pertinent questions regarding the Adani Group’s commitment to free maintenance of the new flats and the status of tenants who moved into Dharavi after January 2000. Khan confirmed that while responses to these queries are awaited, the authorities assured that they would be addressed.

The Enlighten Foundation, in a letter dated August 20, clarified that opposition to the project is minimal and primarily driven by non-locals with vested interests. This sentiment was echoed by local resident associations and various youth groups, who expressed their eagerness to see the redevelopment come to fruition. They highlighted the long-standing need for improvement in Dharavi’s living conditions and the anticipated benefits of the project. The ongoing survey, which began on March 18, 2024, has already covered over 11,000 tenements and is progressing with 40 survey teams, soon to be increased to 100. This comprehensive survey is crucial for mapping Dharavi’s 600 acres and determining eligibility for the redevelopment project.