Dharavi slum being eyed by developers

India’s largest slum Dharavi occupies a prime location at the junction of two commuter rail lines close to the heart of Mumbai. Because of their location there has been a tussle between the residents and the government officials who want to demolish the slum and allow construction of high-rise apartments, office towers and manicured parks. Residents who arrived before 2000 would be re-housed elsewhere in Dharavi in small flats of 225 square feet — smaller than a suburban American garage — while an influx of richer folk and big companies would turn the area into one of Mumbai’s fashionable addresses.

Having what is possibly Asia’s biggest slum does not fit into ideal of ‘rising India’ especially when the slum occupies premium property in a city where commercial rents can approach $2,000 per square foot. In addition to the nearby train lines, Dharavi lies just a few miles from the airport, making it especially attractive to Indian and foreign businesspeople. “You’re talking of a location that’s fantastic. This is the only location in Mumbai where I can bulldoze 500 acres of land and redesign,” said architect Mukesh Mehta, whose $3-billion redevelopment plan was adopted by the Maharashtra state government in 2004 but has been subject to repeated debate and delay. His goal is to “create a brand-new beautiful suburb,” complete with green space, schools, hospitals and reliable public services such as sanitation, things Dharavi currently lacks. All costs are to be borne by the developers, who still will profit handsomely from the high rents charged to companies and people Mehta calls “mainstream,” by which he means the middle and upper classes. The slum dwellers will receive nicer housing than they have now, he insists.

News Published Under:   Mumbai |

Comments