top of page

Aamchi Dharavi: Zero displacement of Dharavikars 

Is redevelopment serving the Dharavikars, Greater Mumbai or just the developer's interests? 

Two years after awarding the tender for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt. Ltd. (DRPPL) of 590 acres, the developers are now seeking an additional 680 acres spread across Mumbai including salt pan lands in eastern suburbs, BMC land at Deonar and Mulund. Koliwadas in Madh, Bhati and Erangal; BMC Octroi Nakas at Dahisar and Mulund; and Mother Dairy land at Kurla to progress the redevelopment.​

​​

At UCM, we are working towards a holistic solution for Dharavi's redevelopment, analysing the recent proposals, and advocating against intense developmental provisions that lead to unjust displacement of the people of dharavi.  

Facts and Reports

  • In 2022, after multiple attempts, the BMC issued a new tender for redeveloping the 590 acres of Dharavi Notified Area (DNA) and rehousing residents in-situ and awarded the contract. Out of the 590 acres, 300 acres is occupied by housing and industries, net buildable area.

  • In 2024, the developer requested an additional 680 acres, claiming that the project would be otherwise unviable.

  • The 70,000 to 80,00 residents that are deemed eligible will receive a 350 sq ft apartment in DNA.

  • Based on the date of moving into Dharavi, 3-4 lakh ineligible Dharavi residents will either be allocated homes under PMAY upon payment of Rs. 2.5 lakh or relocated to rental housing outside the DNA.

  • 70% of the DRPPL land is BMC-owned. Under DCR 2034, BMC is set to receive 25% of the land premium based on the Ready Reckoner Rate and 70% of the net premium. The developer has further requested an exemption from paying this premium deemed to be a major revenue loss to BMC.

  • Moreover, population projection DRPPL as per minimum density propose as per 33 10 (A) DCPR 2034 aims to house 16 lakh population hence displacing 3-4 lakh people as ineligible does not have credible reasoning.

Issues/Implications

  • The viability issue should have been addressed before the tender was floated, hence now rendering the 2022 tender redundant. It is a concern that GoM is considering granting the developer over four times the land area and related FSI to accommodate the currently occupied 300 acres.

  • Under normal circumstances, such a tender would be scrapped and the developer heavily penalised. In this case the Government is bending over backwards to pander to the developer’s whims and fancies, by not just giving away precious government lands but also exemption from paying of premiums;

  • It raises an important question as to who is this redevelopment aiding, the communities about to be displaced, Greater Mumbai or only the developer?

  • The developer will profit from all the land while BMC (through taxpayer’s money) will shoulder the burden of providing sanitation, water and electricity without any compensation. In fact, the DRPPL is becoming highly viable for the developer and less so for taxpayers and the Dharavi communities.

  • Granting the developer ownership of significant land parcels across the city would adversely affect housing affordability in the MMR.

  • Displacing gainfully employed people from their place of work and dislodging livelihoods to far flung areas raises further issues in this jobless economy of their sustenance and quality of life.

  • Long commutes and job losses would be detrimental to the economy of Mumbai and Maharashtra at large.

  • Intense development provisions of housing upto 22 lakh people as per minimum density prescribed under 33 (10) of DCPR 2034 on salt pan lands, Koliwadas in Madh, octroi nakas and the green cover in Kurla will lead to severe social and environmental consequences, resulting in irreversible damage to the region's ecological systems as well as social fabric.

Strategic Framework proposed by UCM 

  • The current Tender and Contract need to be scrapped and the government needs to fix the area considered for redevelopment vis-à-vis the best interests of the community and immediately prepare a detailed informed study with the project framework and feasibility.

  • As per several planner and institutions every Dharavi household can get in situ 500 sq. feet home (375 sq. feet home with 125 sq. feet multipurpose room) with upgraded social amenities, infrastructure and utilities with special low-rise type in situ house forms suitable for Kumbhar and Koli communities.

  • Aamchi Dharavi can accommodate State of Art International Industrial and Commercial Zone for retaining jobs and new job creation for Mumbai and Maharashtra.

  • Instead of writing away the additional land to the developer, this can be better used for larger public good towards the two million homes shortage in MMR, open space shortage, public amenities and infrastructure for Mumbai etc.

  • Instead of mass displacement implementation can be sector-wise cross, using the revenue generated from commercial and industrial sectors to subsidize housing and amenities for residents.

bottom of page