Mumbai: Residents of chawls and buildings included in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will receive rehabilitation flats ranging from a minimum of 500 sq ft to a maximum of 754 sq ft carpet area, free of cost. This move will benefit approximately 8,700 households in the Dharavi Notified Area, including those living in chawls and housing societies.
Background of the Decision
The decision follows instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a war meeting in May last year, directing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to submit a proposal for a minimum carpet area of 500 sq ft to the government for approval, along with supporting reasons. Accordingly, the DRP submitted a proposal for a minimum carpet area of 500 sq ft, comprising 370 sq ft carpet area plus 35% fungible area, with the condition that the developer will not be entitled to incentive floor space index on the fungible area. Importantly, this provision will not apply to slum dwellers under the DRP.
Government Notification and Public Input
The state urban development department issued a notice on Thursday to amend Regulation 33(9)(A) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR)-2034 to enable this change. The department has invited objections and suggestions from the public. Earlier, the government had offered 400 sq ft carpet area to these residents, which was strongly opposed by the community.
Residents' Concerns
Despite the proposal, residents remain sceptical. Reedan Fernando, coordinator of DRP Sector 1 Rahiwasi Kruti Sangh, expressed concerns: "The master plan for Dharavi has still not been publicised. We do not know what exactly is the plan. Where shall we be rehabilitated — will we be given homes in Dharavi, Matunga or elsewhere? The slums are being evicted when they promised key-to-key rehabilitation. There is an atmosphere of fear; there is no transparency."
Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Shahu Nagar, noted that there are 45 buildings in the area and the flat area varies between 275 to 375 sq ft. He stated, "Since 2004, our demand has been that we must be given 750 sq ft flats. If that is what the government is offering us in Dharavi itself, then we have no objections."
DRP Officials' Clarifications
DRP officials said that 11,000 rehabilitation flats are being constructed in Phase I on railway land. However, the land is not vacant and currently houses existing slums. Therefore, residents will need to be temporarily vacated. A senior DRP official explained, "This temporary relocation is only for Phase I. Later, residents will not be required to be shifted out." However, sources indicated that the temporary relocation might be for the entire project.
