The Maharashtra government has transferred possession of 118 acres of land in the Malad-Malvani belt to facilitate rehabilitation under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, marking a significant operational milestone in one of India’s largest urban renewal initiatives. The land parcel at Mukteshwar will be used to relocate residents who cannot be accommodated within Dharavi through in-situ redevelopment.
Officials confirmed that the land has been handed to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), which will retain ownership. Development rights have been granted to the special purpose vehicle implementing the project, a joint venture between the state and the Adani Group. Of the 140 acres originally earmarked at Mukteshwar, 118 acres are now in possession of authorities, while the remaining portion is subject to legal proceedings. The rehabilitation plan envisages housing for residents deemed ineligible for on-site redevelopment within Dharavi, including those occupying upper floors and those who settled after prescribed eligibility cut-off dates. Units under the rehabilitation component will measure 350 sq ft, larger than the standard 300 sq ft tenements offered in other slum projects across the city. The broader redevelopment is being executed by Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited, a joint venture in which the Maharashtra government holds a stake. The project aims to construct between 1.25 lakh and 1.5 lakh new homes to accommodate an estimated 10 lakh residents. Authorities have identified nearly 540 acres across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including parcels in Kurla, Kanjur, Bhandup, Mulund and parts of Deonar to support the rehabilitation effort.
Urban planners describe the Malad allocation as critical to unlocking the dense central parcels within Dharavi for phased redevelopment. By creating alternative housing capacity outside the core site, the state hopes to accelerate project sequencing and reduce displacement uncertainty. However, experts caution that peripheral relocation must be integrated with transport connectivity, employment access and social infrastructure. The Malad–Malvani corridor will require strengthened public transport links, healthcare facilities, schools and resilient civic infrastructure to prevent socio-economic dislocation. Climate adaptation is another key concern, as low-lying and coastal zones in western Mumbai face increasing flood risks. The redevelopment, which has a seven-year timeline for rehabilitation housing and a longer horizon for complete transformation, is often described as a test case for large-scale informal settlement renewal in India. Beyond real estate value unlocking, the project’s long-term success will hinge on inclusive design, livelihood continuity and sustainable urban integration.
With land assembly progressing, the focus now shifts to execution capacity and governance oversight. How effectively the Malad parcel is developed could influence not only the pace of Dharavi’s transformation, but also the broader template for equitable and climate-resilient urban regeneration in Mumbai.
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Mumbai Dharavi redevelopment land handed over
