Latest news with #Dharavi
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Cabinet clears Kurla land transfer terms for Dharavi project: 8.5-hectare land to be allocated for construction of rehabilitation tenements
In a move that paved the way for transfer of 8.5-hectare Dairy Development Department plot in Kurla to Dharavi Redevelopment Project, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to the terms and conditions of the land transfer agreement. The land, which houses the state-run but now defunct Mother Dairy unit, has thus been allocated for the construction of rehabilitation tenements for the ineligible Dharavi residents. The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, gave the green signal to align the land transfer agreement with the Housing and Urban Development Department's latest policy framework. This is aimed at facilitating smoother implementation of the Rs 20,000-crore DRP—considered one of the country's most ambitious urban renewal efforts. The 8.5-hectare ( 21 acres) Kurla plot was formally transferred through a government resolution issued on June 14, 2024. It will now be handed over to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project-Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP-SRA), which is functioning as the planning authority. The Adani Group-led Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), the private partner executing the DRP, recently approached the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) seeking clearance for constructing rehabilitation tenements on the 21-acre Kurla plot, which houses a significant number of trees. According to officials, Dharavi's redevelopment entails the rehabilitation of approximately 8.5 lakh residents. While about 5 lakh eligible families will be accommodated within Dharavi's 620-acre project boundary, the remaining 3.5 lakh ineligible or displaced families are to be resettled on alternate land. The Kurla parcel is among five plots—together measuring 540 acres—earmarked for this purpose. These plots, located within and outside Mumbai, will be used to house ineligible residents on a rental basis. This is in addition to 118.4 acres within Dharavi reserved for commercial development and in-situ rehabilitation. State officials said the amendments approved by the Cabinet are critical for unlocking the Kurla plot and progressing with early-stage rehabilitation construction. The move is also aligned with the state's 'Housing for All' mission, and is expected to enable the development of not just housing but also civic infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and commercial spaces in new rehabilitation zones.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Dharavi MP Varsha Gaikwad, Opp leaders meet CM; seek masterplan rollback
A delegation led by senior Congress leader and Dharavi Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad on Monday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded withdrawal of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project's masterplan approved by the government last week, terming it 'undemocratic', 'opaque' and in violation of legal norms. The Opposition delegation met Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House and submitted a formal representation alleging that the Dharavi Redevelopment Project — referred to in the letter as the 'Dharavi Vinash Yojana' — was being pushed forward without the consent of Dharavi's residents and in violation of provisions of the MRTP Act. 'We sought the government's approval to the Dharavi plan to be rolled back immediately. The people of Dharavi have not been taken into confidence. They deserve to have a say in shaping their future,' Gaikwad said after the meeting, adding that the approval to the masterplan was done secretively and without disclosure, bypassing essential steps such as public hearings and environmental assessments. The MRTP Act mandates public consultations before preparing any development plan. However, residents were not informed or invited to submit suggestions or objections, the delegation said. The masterplan lacks statutory sanction and is, therefore, unconstitutional and illegal, it argued. The memorandum said that so far only 15,171 households have been surveyed and the surveys were allegedly conducted three years ago, many done by private contractors or institutes without a clear mechanism for public verification. The memorandum also alleged the masterplan lacks clarity on ownership and rights and hence is potentially exploitative. The delegation accused the government of prioritising profit over people. The delegation demanded that apart from withdrawing the masterplan, the government must restart the planning process under the MRTP Act with proper public notices, hearings and transparency, and demanded that a fresh, third-party survey and audit of the area be conducted. 'I am not opposing redevelopment,' Gaikwad clarified. 'But this is not how it should be done. No democratic process can allow such a large-scale transformation without public participation. Dharavi must not be seen as real estate but as a living community,' she said, adding that the government must ensure full legal rights and consent from residents before taking any further steps.
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Makeover plan for Asia's biggest slum faces ire of residents
A plan to transform Dharavi, known globally as one of the largest slums in South Asia, is facing opposition from local residents, the Indian Express reported on Friday. Located in the heart of India's financial capital, Mumbai, Dharavi spans over 250 hectares and has attracted attention from tourists, economists, urban planners, and Hollywood. The redevelopment plan, approved by the government of Maharashtra on Wednesday, aims to build nearly 60,000 residential houses and over 13,000 commercial units for eligible tenants in the area. The total cost of the project is estimated at $11 billion. The proposal also includes improving infrastructure in the area, and could take up to seven years to complete. However, according to the Indian Express, this plan has drawn criticism from Dharavi residents, who are protesting that only those occupying ground-floor structures will be eligible for rehousing. There are over 100,000 ground-floor structures in Dharavi, with at least 150,000 to 200,000 tenants residing on the second and third floors, Rajendra Korde, president of the Dharavi Redevelopment Samiti, told the outlet. He questioned the survey conducted by the agency working on the project. According to government officials, Dharavi houses over 600,000 people. The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP) is a joint venture between the Adani Group, one of India's largest conglomerates led by Gautam Adani, and the Maharashtra state government. Since securing the project, the DRP has been conducting a survey to identify the total number of residents in Dharavi who are eligible. It estimates that 72,000 housing and commercial units built on 47.20 hectares will be required, according to the master plan presented to the authorities, the report noted. While Dharavi is known as a densely populated slum, it is also a thriving hub for small businesses. Over the decades, it has emerged as a vital industrial zone for leather, textiles, and other small-scale exports. The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office has stated that the project is designed to preserve Dharavi's unique commercial identity. The master plan for Dharavi includes creating five industry clusters: garment, pottery, leather, food, and recycling, as well as improving connectivity in the redeveloped areas.
