The Adani Group has announced that eligible residents of the Dharavi slum clusters would get new flats measuring 350 sq ft
The group is redeveloping Dharavi slums in collaboration with the Maharashtra government. It claimed that the flat size was “17% more” than what is offered as part of slum redevelopment projects. The new flats will have a kitchen and a toilet.
Earlier, dwellers of informal settlements in Maharashtra were given houses measuring 269 sq ft
Since 2018, the State government started giving them homes measuring between 315 sq ft and 322 sq ft, in line with the minimum area mandated under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for houses for the urban poor.
“The new flats will be dream homes for all Dharavikars and will upgrade their living conditions. Every home will reflect the spirit of a Dharavikar, whose aspirations have always mirrored those of a common Mumbaikar. We, at DRPPL, are committed to fulfilling these dreams and aspirations while keeping the very soul of Dharavi intact,” a Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd. (DRPPL) spokesperson said.
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January 1, 2000 has been decided as the cut-off date to determine eligible residents. The “ineligible residents” will be provided accommodation under the proposed affordable rental housing policy, as per the State government’s norms.
“For this, development similar to Dharavi would be undertaken in the several Navi Dharavis being planned, considering the large requirement of dwelling units,” the spokesperson said.
“Each flat will have a separate kitchen and an in-built independent toilet, and will be well-lit, ventilated, and hygienic, besides being secure,” the spokesperson said.
It is the DRPPL’s endeavour to transform Dharavi into a globally connected city with commercial and industrial premises, keeping its vibrant and unique entrepreneurial culture intact, the group said said.
“Upgrading the lives of Dharavikars, economic opportunities, futuristic education and vocational training, advanced healthcare facilities and a quality lifestyle: all this will be enabled at Dharavi and Navi Dharavi,” it said.
The redeveloped area will also have community halls, recreational areas, public gardens, dispensaries and day care centres for children. “All the above will be benchmarked with best practices being followed in Singapore and other advanced nations for similar habitats,” the spokesperson added.
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The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is a Special Purpose Vehicle, formed as a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government with 80% and 20% equity, respectively.
In November last year, Adani Properties Private Ltd. successfully secured the 259-hectare redevelopment project through competitive bidding. The conglomerate quoted ₹5,069 crore for the project, while the DLF Group submitted a bid of ₹2,025 crore. The redevelopment plan is an integrated development approach of the residential, commercial, and industrial with a floor space index of over 4.
The Maharashtra government is highly optimistic about completing the entire process of rehabilitation and redevelopment in seven years starting next year. However, the developer stated that the period is “insufficient” and sought at least 10-12 years for the entire process to be completed, a source said.
