Construction of rehabilitation homes for eligible Dharavi residents has commenced at the 22-acre Matunga railway site, following a Bhoomi Poojan ceremony performed by Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises (AEL). The project, being implemented by Adani Navbharat Developers (ANDPL), envisages 10 towers comprising 10,432 rehabilitation apartments and 1,379 commercial and industrial units.

Under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme, eligible residents will receive homes measuring 350 sq ft. Residents from Sectors 6 and 1 will be accommodated at Matunga first, followed by nearly 4,500 apartments for other eligible Dharavi residents on a priority basis.

Speaking at the ceremony, Adani said the project would provide families with secure homes and improved living conditions. Aseem Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, attended as Guest of Honour, while Mahendra Kalyankar, CEO, Dharavi Redevelopment Project and Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), was also present.

The 10 towers will be constructed in three phases and handed over to DRP/SRA. The first five towers are scheduled for handover by March 2029, the next two by August 2029 and the remaining three by August 2030.

Each tower will comprise 37 to 39 storeys, with 10 to 12 passenger elevators and two dedicated fire elevators. Two additional elevators will serve the commercial and industrial units. Planned amenities include a kindergarten, community hall, podium gardens, sit-out areas, society offices and places of worship. Ten per cent of the commercial space in each rehabilitation building will be reserved to generate revenue for the upkeep of common infrastructure.

ANDPL will maintain the buildings and shared infrastructure for the first 10 years after handover. The project draws on design, engineering and urban planning expertise from international and Indian firms, including Sasaki, Buro Happold, StudioPOD, Hafeez Contractor, P&T and ARC Studio, along with urban planning experts from Singapore.

The Bhoomi Poojan follows the inauguration of the Dharavi Experience Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 2 October 2026. Spread across 22,500 sq ft, the centre showcases the proposed redevelopment through sample homes, a 3D walkthrough and interactive displays covering housing, workplaces, amenities, transport and open spaces.

Anil Sardana, CEO, ANDPL, said the commencement of construction marked a shift towards project delivery, adding that the company would remain responsible for building maintenance and common infrastructure for 10 years after handover.

The wider Dharavi redevelopment plan envisages a mixed-use township with shops, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, parks, public transport and other social infrastructure. Essential services are planned within a 15-minute walking distance.

Image caption: (L to R) ANDPL CEO Anil Sardana, DRP/SRA CEO Dr Mahendra Kalyankar, Adani Enterprises (AEL) Director Shri Pranav Adani, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, Shri Aseem Kumar Gupta and Adani Realty CEO Jackbastian Nazareth on the occasion of Bhoomi Poojan to mark the start of rehabilitation construction, at Matunga Railway Land, in Mumbai.