Can Dharavi get a makeover?

Three companies, Adani Realty, DLF and Naman Group, have submitted bids for the over Rs 200 billion Dharavi redevelopment and rehabilitation project, which may finally take off after several failed attempts over the last 15 years or so. Dharavi, in Mumbai, is one of Asia's biggest slum clusters. Governments in Maharashtra have made at least four abortive attempts to get the project up and running in the last decade and a half, floating bids for the redevelopment. On October 1, the Maharashtra government floated a global tender for the redevelopment and rehabilitation of Dharavi after a failed attempt in 2019. Three companies have evinced interest in the project. After evaluation of the technical and financial eligibility of the bidders, one of the three companies will be shortlisted for the project by December 31. While the authorities maintain that the redevelopment of Dharavi will change the face of Central Mumbai, slum dwellers and small-scale business units are worried about being moved out of Dharavi. The residents and business unit owners state that the authorities should ensure that they have complete clarity and rehabilitation is done in the same area, after providing a proper roadmap and obtaining consent. Also Read Three bidders vying for Mumbai’s Dharavi slum redevelopment Smartworld Developers expect sales worth Rs 2.5 bn from retail project