Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, is set to undergo a transformative redevelopment project worth USD 3 billion, led by the Adani Group. In a move that could significantly impact the lives of an estimated one million residents, a newly formed association of Dharavi residents has lent its support to the ongoing state government-led survey of informal tenements, a crucial step for the project.

The Citizen and Society Development Welfare body of Dharavi residents, which has taken up the slogan of the "Dharavi Banao Andolan," recently met with S.V.R. Srinivas, the CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and submitted a memorandum requesting the expediting of the survey process.

The survey, which began on March 18, 2024, has already covered over 10,000 tenements, including residential, commercial, and religious structures, across the roughly 600-acre densely populated Dharavi area. Mapping the area is crucial for the redevelopment plan, which is expected to take seven years to complete. Eligible residents will receive 350-square-foot flats in the area, while ineligible residents will be rehoused elsewhere in Mumbai.

The association has emphasized the urgent need for the survey to be carried out at the earliest, as it is a prerequisite for the redevelopment to move forward without further delays. Dharavi residents, known as Dharavikars, have also asked Srinivas to take legal action against those who are opposing the survey process. They have also requested that the master development plan be disclosed, outlining details such as who will be relocated, where, and when the new flats will be ready.

Furthermore, the association has urged the authorities to take legal action against any individuals or groups who are hindering the survey process, as it is considered a violation of the law. They have stressed that ensuring the lawful and uninterrupted progress of the survey is essential for the benefit of all Dharavi residents.

3-D mapping expert Genesys International Ltd will map the area while UK consultancy Buro Happold Ltd will outline the physical infrastructure needs and Boston-based Sasaki Associates Inc is in charge of overall re-design.

The DRP, a Maharashtra government department, is conducting the survey in collaboration with Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group. This survey aims to collect data from the lakhs of informal tenement residents to help determine their eligibility criteria for rehabilitation under the proposed redevelopment project.

The current redevelopment plan is the state government's fourth attempt to transform Dharavi, which has been an informal settlement since the 1950s. The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan is distinct from the standard Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme. The plan ensures that all qualifying tenement holders are offered homes of up to 350 square feet, a significant improvement from past proposals.

Residents eligible for the free housing units are defined as those with proof of living in the area prior to January 1, 2000. This move aims to address the long-standing challenge of Dharavi's complex land ownership and tenure patterns, which have hindered previous redevelopment efforts.

Dharavi's transformation has eluded successive state governments since the 1950s. The primary obstacle was the requirement to acquire large tracts of land and attract investors to build modern utilities and resettle the local residents. However, the current redevelopment plan, launched through a global tender, is now gaining local support.

Dharavi, a settlement that has grown around the leather tanning industry, has evolved into a cosmopolitan hub, with migrants from across India making it their home. As Mumbai expanded, the slum became an integral part of the city, housing a diverse array of cottage industries, from waste recycling to leather, textiles, and pottery manufacturing.

The Adani-led redevelopment project aims to transform Dharavi, roughly the size of Monaco, into a modern metropolis with apartments, offices, and malls. The plan also includes sustainable transportation systems, modern infrastructure utilities, and vocational training initiatives to empower the youth and improve the earning capabilities of Dharavi's residents.