The multi-crore Dharavi slum redevelopment project involves no land transfer to the Adani group but to the Maharashtra government's departments, according to sources familiar with the project.
The Ahmedabad-based conglomerate, acting as the project developer, will construct houses that will subsequently be handed over to the same government departments for allocation to residents of Asia's largest slum.
Dismissing allegations of a land grab made by MP Varsha Gaikwad, sources stated that land parcels are to be transferred solely to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) of the state government's housing department.
The Adani Group, which secured the Dharavi slum redevelopment project through an open international bidding process, will build tenements, including housing and commercial units, via its joint venture company Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL) with the Maharashtra government. These units will then be handed over to DRP/SRA for allocation based on survey findings.
To clarify misconceptions about the project, sources noted that, as per the tender, the land remains allocated to DRP/SRA at rates set by the government. DRPPL is required to pay the government as demanded for the development.
While DRPPL holds development rights, the state support agreement, part of the tender document, explicitly states that the state government will support the project by providing land to its own DRP/SRA department.
Regarding the allocation of railway land, where the first rehabilitation units are to be built for the initial set of Dharavi residents, sources indicated it was allocated to DRP prior to tendering. For this, DRPPL has paid a premium of 170 per cent over the prevailing ready reckoner rates.
Refuting claims that Dharavi residents would be evicted and rendered homeless, sources stressed that the government's 2022 order mandates that every tenement holder in Dharavi, eligible or ineligible, will be provided a home. Under the DRP/SRA scheme, no Dharavi resident will be displaced.
Tenement holders with structures existing on or before January 1, 2000, will be eligible for in-situ rehabilitation. Those with structures existing between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, will be allotted homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) outside Dharavi anywhere in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for just Rs 2.5 lakh or via rental housing.
Tenements established post-January 1, 2011, up to the cut-off date (to be declared by the government) will receive homes under the state government's proposed affordable rental home policy with a hire-purchase option.
The Dharavi redevelopment project, sources said, is a unique provision compared to the regular SRA scheme, which only provides a house of up to 300 square feet for eligible tenement holders. Under this project, a flat measuring 350 square feet, 17 per cent larger than other SRA schemes in Mumbai, will be allocated.
Sources described the Dharavi Redevelopment Tender as one of the most progressive in terms of its approach towards the informal settlers of Dharavi, emphasising its pro-people nature.
The scheme includes free and highly concessional housing, stamp duty and property tax exemptions, 10-year free maintenance, and a 10 per cent commercial area in residential premises to ensure a sustainable revenue stream for the prospective housing societies in addition to the provided corpus.
For eligible business tenements, the government scheme offers a proper free-of-cost business place and a five-year state GST rebate, intended to boost profitability, integrate businesses into the formal economy, enhance competitiveness, and provide significant growth opportunities.
The tender enforces stringent timelines, with penalties for any violations. Regarding the alleged allocation of Kurla Mother Dairy land, sources clarified that the land is allocated to DRP, not Adani or DRPPL, following the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Lands) Rules, 1971, before issuing the relevant Government Resolution (GR).
Sources argued that a false narrative for electoral gain is being spread about the project, which, if successful, would leave the people of Dharavi in poor living conditions with limited access to basic amenities.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the locality into a world-class city, creating a sustainable and thriving neighbourhood while preserving its timeless essence.
The project aims to improve the quality of life for over one million Dharavi residents through a human-centric approach, integrating sustainable multi-modal transport systems and state-of-the-art infrastructure utilities.
Additionally, vocational-based skilling programs are being planned for Dharavi’s youth and other wage aspirants to enhance their earning potential and provide them with eco-friendly and benign job opportunities.
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