Dharavi Redevelopment Survey For Over 25,000 Tenements Done, To Be Completed By March 2025

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, is making significant progress in the ambitious redevelopment of Dharavi, Asia's largest slum.

Since the survey began in March 2024, over 25,000 tenements have been surveyed, and more than 60,000 dwellings have been numbered, the company announced.

The Rs 20,000-crore urban renewal project aims to transform nearly 600 acres of land, including 296 acres at the heart of Mumbai, into modern residential and commercial spaces.

Eligible residents are set to receive 350-square-foot flats in Dharavi, while ineligible residents will be relocated elsewhere in Mumbai.

Surveying the densely populated Dharavi involves intricate steps, starting with land reconnaissance, followed by the systematic numbering of tenements.

DRPPL has deployed over 50 dedicated teams daily across five sectors and 34 zones of Dharavi. These teams, numbering 300–400 tenements and verifying 200–250 homes daily, have continued their efforts despite challenges posed by two elections and prolonged monsoons.

“Surveys of over 25,000 tenements have been completed, reflecting the relentless dedication of our field teams,” DRPPL said in its statement. Advanced Lidar mapping technology is being used to create detailed layouts, with door-to-door verification assigning unique identification codes to tenements, reports NDTV.

The survey is expected to be completed by March 2025, paving the way for the construction of the rehabilitation component, pending requisite approvals.

Residents in ground-floor structures built on or before January 1, 2000, are eligible for free in-situ rehabilitation within the Dharavi Notified Area (DNA). Structures built between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, will qualify for housing outside the DNA at a nominal cost of Rs 2.5 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Additionally, rehabilitation buildings will offer 10 years of free operation and maintenance. Societies will receive an extra 10 per cent commercial area, potentially enabling them to generate revenue for lifetime maintenance.

Dharavi, a sprawling slum once prominently featured in the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, is also a thriving hub for small-scale industries such as leather goods, pottery, and textiles. Its redevelopment has long been seen as a critical step toward improving living conditions and fostering economic growth.

Adani Group won the Dharavi redevelopment bid in November 2022, committing an initial investment of Rs 5,069 crore. The project promises to reshape one of Mumbai’s most iconic yet challenging areas into a symbol of urban renewal, balancing modernity with the needs of its residents.

Survey work is expected to cover a total of 1.5 to 2 lakh tenements, signaling the scale and complexity of this transformative initiative. As work progresses, Dharavi inches closer to a new chapter in its storied history.