Dharavi Redevelopment Illegal Structures Identified in Drone Survey to Be Demolished
Mumbai’s Dharavi, one of the largest and most densely populated slums in Asia, is set for a significant transformation under the ongoing redevelopment project. Following a drone survey conducted in 2023 by Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), authorities have set a clear directive: illegal structures built after the survey will be demolished. This decision marks an important step in the redevelopment of Dharavi, which spans a 251-hectare area within the city’s core.
The NMDPL, which has been tasked with overseeing the Dharavi redevelopment, revealed that the drone survey will serve as a benchmark for determining which structures were erected after the survey date. Any new constructions that have emerged in the Dharavi Notified Area (DNA) since 2023 will be razed to restore order in the area. This move aims to curb the unchecked construction activity promoted by local residents and land mafias that continues to plague the redevelopment project.
SVR Srinivas, the CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project and chairman of NMDPL, confirmed that action would be taken against these illegal constructions. The focus is on ensuring that the redevelopment process remains unhindered by such unauthorised developments, especially as Dharavi’s transformation into a modern urban space gathers pace. In November 2024, NMDPL submitted the Dharavi Development Plan to the Maharashtra government, which envisions a comprehensive strategy for transforming Dharavi. While the state government has yet to make any formal announcements or recommendations regarding the plan, authorities are continuing with the groundwork. Notably, the construction of rehabilitation tenements for the slum’s residents will take place on 47 acres of railway land allocated for this purpose.
The plan has already moved forward with the numbering of over 85,000 tenements, which include residential, commercial, religious, and industrial structures. A door-to-door survey has been completed for 50,000 tenements, and the remaining survey is expected to wrap up by the end of April 2025. In an effort to ensure fair rehabilitation, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) has clarified the housing entitlements for residents based on their tenure in the area. Ground-floor residents who settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2000, will receive 350 sq ft homes within the area at no cost. Those who settled between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, will be offered 300 sq ft houses outside Dharavi, priced at Rs 2.5 lakh, as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
The illegal construction issue has long been a concern. In 2019, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) undertook a large-scale demolition drive, with assistant municipal commissioner Kiran Dighavkar describing unauthorised construction as a recurring issue in Dharavi. Despite previous efforts, the land mafia and local residents have continued to promote illegal construction activities. The DRP/SRA has now vowed to follow through with stricter enforcement, invoking the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act to hold perpetrators accountable. This crackdown on illegal structures aligns with the overall goal of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project: to transform the area into a modern and well-planned urban hub. However, residents and local stakeholders have mixed feelings about the demolition drives. While some support the efforts to restore order and improve infrastructure, others are concerned about the disruption to their livelihood and homes.
The Dharavi redevelopment project is one of the largest and most ambitious urban renewal efforts in India. As the project moves forward, authorities remain focused on providing sustainable housing for the thousands of residents who will be displaced during the process. With ongoing surveys and targeted demolition, the project aims to strike a balance between rehabilitating Dharavi’s residents and modernising the area to meet the needs of Mumbai’s growing population. While the demolition of illegal structures in Dharavi may face opposition, it is a necessary step to ensure the success of the redevelopment initiative. By clearing these unauthorised constructions, the project can move forward towards its goal of transforming Dharavi into a sustainable and thriving urban area.
