On January 15, Adani announced that eligible Dharavi dwellers will be offered minimum 350 sq ft flats with independent kitchens and bathrooms as part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL). The project, which is a joint venture between Adani Group and the Government of Maharashtra, is offering the highest carpet area in terms of a slum redevelopment project in Mumbai. Previously, dwellers of informal settlements were provided accommodations which measured around 269 sq ft which was eventually upscaled to 315 sq ft-332 sq ft in compliance with the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Who is eligible as homebuyers?
Dwellers who have been residing in the area prior to January 1, 2000, qualify as eligible homebuyers. Meanwhile, ineligible homebuyers will likely be given housing as per the state government’s affordable rental housing policy. The redevelopment project also aims at including amenities like public gardens, daycare centers, recreational spaces and dispensaries.
A spokesperson for the DRPPL revealed in a statement, “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 survey will be conducted to estimate who qualifies as eligible and who does not, the reports of which will be submitted to authorities by March. According to Bloomberg News, the 2022 tender documents state that ineligible dwellers will be provided with housing within 6-7.5 mile radius.
As per the Deccan Herald, Genesis International Ltd., is in charge of mapping the area, while physical infrastructure needs will be outlined by UK consultancy Buro Happold Ltd. and Boston-based Sasaki Associates Inc. will be responsible for the the overall re-design.
Rehabilation Project’s Completion time
The $3 billion rehabilitation project will take roughly seven years to achieve completion. Initial plans to redevelop the area were first sanctioned by the Maharashtra Government way back in 2004. Adani Group eventually won the bid to revamp the urban slum on November 29, 2022. As per Business Standard, Ramakant Gupta, president of Dharavi Redevelopment Committee has further revealed, “We have been waiting for our tenements since 2005 when the first development plan for Dharavi was approved by the Maharashtra government. Some of the residents are waiting for decades to get into a concrete house.”. He also said, “We welcome the offer made by Adani Group but we would like faster construction and bigger 400 square feet houses.”.
Despite facing opposition from a few sections of the state and dealing with legal ordeals against Dubai-based developers and investors, SecLink Technologies Corp., the Adani-led redevelopment project for Dharavi seems to be progressing smoothly for now.
