Dharavi Slum Rehab Or A Realty Project?

The long-pending and controversial Dharavi Rehabilitation Project (DPR) in Mumbai is through with the paperwork.

- GURBIR SINGH

The Maharashtra government on Friday approved the Master Plan for what will possibly be the largest single slum rehabilitation project in the world. It aims to rehabilitate both 'eligible' and 'non-eligible' residents, traditional artisans like leather workers and potters, as well as small-scale commercial establishments.

The clean-up of what is seen as Mumbai's biggest eyesore comes at a whopping project cost of Rs 95,790 crore, and is expected to be completed over 7 years, by 2032.

'Rehabilitation' and 'redevelopment' projects are often a euphemism for clever business plans, and so it is for the Dharavi recast. After a bidding process, the rehab project will be driven by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in which the Adani Group holds 80 percent, while the state government's Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has a 20 percent stake.

Of Dharavi's urban sprawl of 251 hectares (620 acres), 109 hectares (269 acres) has been earmarked for redevelopment. The rest will be green areas, roads and infrastructure. Of the developable area of 269 acres, 56 percent will be used to rehabilitate 'eligible' residents', while 44 percent is reserved for commercial exploitation.

Who is eligible?

The promoters seem to be in a hurry. The Master Plan was okayed without involving resident groups or inviting objections and suggestions. The survey of 'eligible' residents and establishments has not yet been complete and there is little clarity on the numbers.