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Dharavi's Ward 185, home to around 40,000 voters, is at the centre of Mumbai's civic election debate due to ongoing concerns over the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The ward, historically a Congress stronghold, was previously won by T M Jagdish of the undivided Shiv Sena. Residents, especially the 150-year-old Kumbharwada pottery community, demand in-situ rehabilitation and safeguards for livelihoods. Political parties, including BJP, Congress, and AAP, are addressing housing, infrastructure, and trade preservation. Long-term residents remain cautious, weighing promises of modernisation against fears of displacement and limited living space.
Dharavi's Ward 185 has emerged as a critical focus in Mumbai's civic elections, attracting attention because of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and the concerns it raises among residents. The ward, comprising roughly 40,000 voters, forms part of the larger Dharavi constituency, which includes around 2,35,000 voters across wards 183 to 189. The electorate is diverse, with about 26% South Indian, 23% Marathi, 16% North Indian and Muslim, and 15% Gujarati residents. Advertisement
Traditionally dominated by Congress, Ward 185 was won in the previous civic elections by T M Jagdish of the undivided Shiv Sena, while the BJP has yet to record a win here. The 150-year-old Kumbharwada potters colony has become central to the campaign, as families demand that they be excluded from large-scale redevelopment or at least rehabilitated within the same locality. Candidates across parties have promised to safeguard these communities and their livelihoods.
Veteran corporator Ravi Raja, previously the leader of opposition in the BMC, has been engaging residents directly, greeting locals in Tamil neighbourhoods and assuring that Kumbharwada's pottery industry will be preserved. Raja indicated that a delegation from the colony had raised concerns, and he pledged to carve out 12.5 acres within the DRP to accommodate residents without displacing them. He also criticised the long-standing influence of the Gaikwad family, accusing them of delaying redevelopment efforts from 1999 to 2014.
While politicians promise rehabilitation, many residents remain cautious. Sheshova Shekhar, who has lived in a 150-sq-ft tenement in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar for 70 years, said the current proposal would limit their ability to expand vertically, which is possible in their present homes. Families fear that one-room units in new structures will not meet their long-term needs. Residents also point to the inconsistency of past civic service, with improvements like road widening or sanitation work often appearing only during election periods.
The DRP also raises concerns about property taxes and legacy obligations. Residents in Kumbharwada, who had historically paid nominal vacant land tax, were told that this had been waived following redevelopment announcements. Candidates note that addressing these legacy matters is critical to winning voter trust.
Former corporator T M Jagdish, running again, emphasises past efforts to improve basic services while other parties, including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, focus on protecting traditional trades, expanding civic infrastructure, and providing clear plans for housing and rehabilitation. Leaders from multiple parties also argue that Dharavi's economic contribution through pottery, leather, and food production requires tailored attention rather than generic redevelopment plans.
Overall, Ward 185 illustrates the intersection of urban development, community livelihoods, and political strategy, highlighting how redevelopment projects shape local discourse and civic decision-making.
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