DRP: Modernizing Dharavi's Slum into an Urban Hub

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) aims to rehabilitate around 150,000 tenements, transforming the massive slum into a modern urban hub, according to officials from Navbharat Mega Developers (NMDPL), led by the Adani Group.

As of February 12, NMDPL has numbered 85,000 tenements, while over 50,000 have undergone door-to-door surveys. The company emphasized that the project would provide better housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities while preserving the dignity of Dharavi’s residents. The estimate of 150,000 tenements comes from updated assessments showing that most existing structures have expanded to G+2 levels, increasing the total number of units requiring rehabilitation.

In contrast, a 2007-08 survey by NGO Mashal had identified around 60,000 eligible tenements. The authorities have also implemented an internal system to manage opposition and accelerate the survey process.

An official explained that while the final count may vary by 10%, they expect approximately 150,000 tenements to qualify for in-situ rehabilitation. To speed up the survey, a three-visit rule has been introduced: if a resident fails to submit the necessary documents after three visits, the fourth visit will be the last, and their tenement may be excluded from eligibility data. This measure aims to prevent unnecessary delays.

Authorities highlighted that completing 50,000+ door-to-door surveys is a significant achievement for the Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), given the challenges of mapping Dharavi. According to tender terms, eligible residents will be rehabilitated within Dharavi, while ineligible residents will be relocated to modern townships within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

NMDPL officials assured that unlike past SRA projects, Dharavi residents will not be placed in high-rise slums but in well-planned townships, ensuring a higher quality of life.