Aamchi Dharavi: Zero displacement of Dharavikars 

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 of land across Mumbai, including salt pan lands, BMC –owned land in Deonar and Mulund, Koliwadas and other public lands. The developer argues that without this addfitional land, the project would be unviable. The redevelopment aims to house 70,000–80,000 eligible residents receiving 350 sq. ft. apartments, while 3-4 lakh ineligible residents will be relocated or offered housing under PMAY.

​

Concerns arise as the developer’s request for additional land and exemptions from land premium payments would lead to significant revenue loss for BMC, which owns 70% of the land. The original tender should have addressed the project’s viability before it was awarded, rendering the 2022 tender redundant. Additionally, mass displacement of residents, especially those employed locally, would result in job losses, long commutes, and economic disruption. Intense development on salt pans, Koliwadas, and green spaces would result in rreversible environmental consequences

 

​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.