The master plan for the Dharavi redevelopment project received approval on Wednesday, May 27, 2025, during a review meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and attended by senior government officials.

During the meeting, Fadnavis emphasised that the redevelopment of Dharavi should be carried out in an environmentally sustainable and integrated manner, while also preserving its original character. He stressed that the primary focus of the project must be on rehabilitating local artisans and small-scale business operators.

Concerns Raised Over Rehabilitation Clarity

The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP), a collaborative venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government, aims to transform Asia’s largest slum cluster, currently home to around 60,000 families. Despite its ambitious scope, the project has met with resistance from residents who have expressed concern about the future of small-scale manufacturing and industrial units in the area. There remains a lack of transparency regarding the rehabilitation of these workers.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, it is essential that eligible beneficiaries are provided space within the redeveloped locality. The rehabilitation strategy, it said, should ensure the retention of Dharavi’s core commercial identity. Officials added that relevant agencies must engage with the local population and implement development in consultation with them.

In reaction to the approval of the master plan, activists questioned whether the government would involve affected residents in the planning process. Lawyer and activist Sagar Devre raised concerns over the lack of public consultation, noting that citizens had not been informed about their future rehabilitation sites. He pointed out that objections and suggestions from the people had not been solicited, making it unclear where residents would be relocated. Devre also highlighted that 1,200 acres of land were being allocated to the developer, while residents were still uncertain about how the government would determine which occupants would be considered unauthorised.