In a landmark step towards transforming one of Asia’s largest informal settlements, Mumbai’s Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has begun construction of 10,000 rehabilitation flats on a 47.5-acre plot of railway land in Mahim. The new flats, each measuring 350 sq ft, are part of Phase 1 of the ambitious initiative aimed at providing sustainable, dignified housing to thousands of residents currently living in the Dharavi notified area.
The first phase is expected to be completed within three years, according to officials leading the redevelopment drive. Of the total land parcel, DRP has secured physical possession of 28 acres, where initial vertical construction of up to 30-storey residential buildings is underway. Residents located closest to the Mahim site—primarily those from Sector 1—will be prioritised for relocation.
Interestingly, while Dharavi has been divided into five sectors for administrative and planning purposes, the redevelopment will not proceed sector-wise. Instead, authorities are opting for a phased approach that aims to reduce displacement and transit tenures for residents. Upon completion, Phase 1 is expected to unlock nearly 70 acres within Dharavi, paving the way for faster expansion of the subsequent phases.In an inclusive approach, simultaneous development of rental housing is planned for ineligible residents who do not qualify for free rehabilitation housing. The DRP has already taken over 21.5 acres at Kurla dairy land and 58.1 acres of salt pan land in Mulund for this purpose. An additional 140-acre parcel in Aksa, Malad West, also earmarked for rental housing, is pending official handover.
The authorities are also eyeing 124 acres at the Deonar dumping ground for further housing expansion. However, access to this land is contingent upon a lengthy process of scientific closure of the landfill and acquiring necessary environmental clearances—expected to take a minimum of three to four years.Beyond the physical relocation of people, DRP officials stressed the project’s broader civic vision. The redevelopment aims to introduce long-missing infrastructure elements in Dharavi such as underground sewer networks and clean water supply systems. Currently, untreated waste flows directly into the Mithi River, which ultimately discharges into the Arabian Sea—only for the tides to bring the pollution back onto the city’s shores.
According to officials, the entire civic infrastructure in the new developments will be built and maintained by the Special Purpose Vehicle, the Dharavi Redevelopment SPV, ensuring sustainable management and long-term upkeep. These services are not only critical from an environmental standpoint but also integral to ensuring dignified urban living.The redevelopment model aims to make Mumbai a slum-free city, not by forced evictions, but by ensuring that every resident is provided housing within the urban fold. “In no other slum scheme is every individual assured a home,” said officials associated with the project, defending the incentives offered to developers and the state’s active role in laying the civic groundwork.
If executed effectively, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project could serve as a national blueprint for equitable and eco-friendly urban renewal. It marks a transition in policy—from merely building structures to engineering sustainable communities—aligning with the broader vision of zero-carbon, inclusive urban transformation
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