SRA Launches Probe into Dharavi Housing Eligibility Scandal
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has initiated a formal investigation led by the deputy collector (Encroachments) in response to serious allegations of fraudulent practices within the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). This inquiry follows multiple complaints that demolished huts in the Shatabdi Nagar area of Dharavi, Mumbai, have been illegally reconstructed, with new occupants subsequently declared eligible for free housing benefits under the government scheme.
Activist Exposes Systematic Manipulation in Eligibility Lists
Baburao Mane, a prominent activist and founder-member of Manohar Joshi College, filed a detailed complaint with the SRA, highlighting several irregularities. He alleged that occupants of huts partially demolished by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) are being wrongfully included in eligibility lists, despite these structures not appearing on official survey maps or existing on the ground. Specific instances cited include a temple misrepresented as a hut and, as recently as January 29, a staircase area fitted with a door and plastered to mimic a hut, all being used to claim free housing.
Manohar Joshi College is located adjacent to Shatabdi Nagar, where Mane claims these "dealings in demolished huts" are occurring in connivance with DRP officials. Shatabdi Nagar, originally comprising approximately 800 huts along the arterial Loop Road in Dharavi, has been a focal point of redevelopment efforts for nearly a decade.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
Mane provided background on the situation, explaining that about ten years ago, Mhada was assigned to redevelop Sector Five in Dharavi, including Shatabdi Nagar. A survey conducted at that time identified 800 huts, leading to over 300 families being relocated into rehabilitation towers built by Mhada. However, Mhada did not fully demolish the vacated huts, allowing new families to move in three to four years ago, using plastic or fibre sheets as makeshift roofs.
Later, the state government decided to transfer the entire Dharavi redevelopment to Adani Realty. In October last year, local residents approached Mane with complaints that while they were eligible and awaiting allotment of tenements, recent occupants were being given keys to tenements in the Mhada-built towers.
Evidence of Duplication and Collusion Allegations
Mane and residents conducted a comparative analysis of Mhada's original eligible list and the new list prepared by DRP. They discovered that hut numbers from the original survey were being duplicated with the addition of "A" suffixes. For example, an original hut number V/J/664 appeared as V/J/664A in the new list, creating a false impression of two separate huts. Scrutiny revealed that individuals who shifted into these structures recently were declared eligible, prompting Mane to lodge a written complaint with SRA in December last year.
Mane asserted that such manipulations could not occur without collusion from DRP officials. He also expressed concern that while SRA has announced an inquiry, progress appears slow, suggesting possible delays in addressing the issue.
Official Responses and Project Clarifications
DRP secretary Vipin Paliwal confirmed that the inquiry is underway, acknowledging the complexity due to multiple surveys conducted by Mhada and other agencies. He stated, "We are looking into it and will certainly publish the report," though he declined to provide a specific timeline for completion.
A spokesperson for Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), a special purpose vehicle formed between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group for the DRP, clarified that NMDPL has no involvement in the Shatabdi Nagar residents shifting to Mhada transit buildings. The spokesperson explained, "All survey works were conducted much prior to our arrival into the Dharavi contract. NMDPL has not conducted the survey in Shatabdi Nagar. The allotment of transit homes is based on the legacy survey."
This investigation underscores ongoing challenges in urban redevelopment projects, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability to ensure that housing benefits reach legitimate beneficiaries without exploitation or fraud.
