The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is prepared to transfer five acres of the 18-acre octroi naka land in Mulund for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. This move, disclosed via the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Sagar Devre, comes amidst political controversy during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Several politicians, including deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposed relocating "ineligible" Dharavi residents to Mulund. With three to four lakh residents needing relocation, this issue underscores the complexity of urban redevelopment and the political stakes involved in Mumbai's high-value real estate landscape.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed the state government of its readiness to immediately hand over five acres of the 18-acre octroi naka land in Mulund for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. This information was revealed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Sagar Devre.
The correspondence occurred during the Lok Sabha election campaign when the relocation of "ineligible" Dharavi residents to Mulund had become a significant electoral issue. At the time, several BJP politicians, including deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai North East candidate Mihir Kotecha, and former MP Kirit Somaiya, were vocal in their opposition to the relocation plan. They emphasised that they would prevent the transfer of Dharavi residents to Mulund.
Notably, Kirit Somaiya had obtained information under the RTI Act indicating that as of May 29, the octroi land had not been handed over to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project or the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. It is estimated that three to four lakh ineligible Dharavi residents will need to be provided rental housing outside Dharavi. Somaiya mentioned that he received assurances from Fadnavis that Dharavi residents would not be relocated to Mulund.
The controversy highlights the broader debate over urban redevelopment, relocation of slum dwellers, and the use of valuable urban land. The BMC's readiness to hand over a portion of the Mulund land underscores the urgency and complexity of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the largest and most contentious urban renewal initiatives in India. The political stakes are high, as the handling of such projects impacts not only the lives of thousands of residents but also the political fortunes of the involved parties.
The relocation of Dharavi residents has been a contentious issue, with various stakeholders weighing in on the best approach to balance redevelopment and residents' rights. The involvement of high-profile political figures and their differing stances on the relocation plan adds to the complexity of the situation. The assurances from Fadnavis and the opposition from local politicians like Kotecha and Somaiya highlight the local resistance to relocating Dharavi residents to areas like Mulund.
The allocation of Kurla Dairy land for the project and the political ramifications of such decisions are emblematic of the broader struggles over land use in Mumbai, a city where real estate is extremely valuable and highly contested.
As the debate continues, the future of Dharavi's redevelopment remains a critical issue for Mumbai's urban planning and political landscape. The outcome of these deliberations will likely have significant implications for the residents of Dharavi and the broader policies governing urban redevelopment and slum rehabilitation in India.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
