+
Dharavi NGOs Support State-Led Tenant Survey
Real Estate

Dharavi NGOs Support State-Led Tenant Survey

Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Dharavi have pledged their support for the ongoing state-led survey of informal tenants, a key step in the $3 billion Dharavi redevelopment project. The NGOs have accused non-locals of spreading misinformation to stall the redevelopment efforts, as outlined in letters sent to Maharashtra government authorities.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), which oversees the redevelopment initiative in partnership with the Adani Group, received letters of support from eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations. These organizations, which focus on diverse welfare activities such as health, education, and women?s empowerment, have met with the CEO of Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL) to express their backing for the survey currently being conducted in Dharavi.

Noor Mohammed Khan of Global Giving Foundation and All India Police Jan Seva Sangathna extended support while raising 13 questions regarding the redevelopment plan. These queries covered various aspects, including the duration of free maintenance for flats constructed to rehabilitate Dharavi residents and the status of those who moved into Dharavi post-January 2000, which is the cutoff date for determining eligibility for the new flats. Khan confirmed that the authority has promised to respond to these questions.

In a letter dated August 20, the Enlighten Foundation also voiced support for the survey. Rajeshkumar Panirselvam, founder and president of the Enlighten Foundation, stated, ?The residents and commercial premises owners are not against the project or the survey. It is opposed only by a handful of people with vested interests who are not locals and are oblivious to the living conditions in Dharavi.?

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj CHS, a local resident association, expressed a desire to proceed with the survey and the long-delayed redevelopment project, emphasizing the need for progress after decades of stagnation. "Many generations have passed, waiting for the area to be redeveloped, but only now are we witnessing a positive step," the association wrote.

The survey, which began on March 18, 2024, has so far covered over 11,000 tenements through door-to-door visits and numbered more than 30,000 properties, including residential, commercial, and religious structures across Dharavi. The Thevar Samajam, representing the largest Tamil community in Dharavi, assured DRPPL of the local residents " and business owners" eagerness to see the redevelopment move forward.

Youth groups such as Dharavikar Iron Group and Om Shri Gauri Mitra Mandal have offered to volunteer as facilitators for the survey, underscoring the community's commitment to the project. The All India Police Jan Seva Sanghatana, representing the interests of police and government residences in Dharavi, has called for direct dialogue with residents to counter misinformation about the redevelopment.

Despite heavy rainfall and challenging conditions in Dharavi's narrow lanes, over 40 DRP survey teams are working diligently to ensure comprehensive coverage. The survey teams will soon be increased to 100 to expedite the data collection process. Mapping Dharavi's approximately 600 acres is crucial for the redevelopment, which is expected to take seven years to complete.

The state government's unique policy guarantees housing for all residents, eligible or not, with eligible residents receiving a 350 sq ft flat in Dharavi and others being rehoused elsewhere in Mumbai. The DRP, a Maharashtra government department, along with DRPPL "a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group" is conducting the survey to gather data from Dharavi's numerous informal tenement residents, crucial for determining eligibility for rehabilitation under the proposed redevelopment project.

The current redevelopment plan marks the state government's fourth attempt to transform Dharavi through a global tender, and it is gaining significant local support as a transformative initiative, not just a real estate project.

Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Dharavi have pledged their support for the ongoing state-led survey of informal tenants, a key step in the $3 billion Dharavi redevelopment project. The NGOs have accused non-locals of spreading misinformation to stall the redevelopment efforts, as outlined in letters sent to Maharashtra government authorities. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), which oversees the redevelopment initiative in partnership with the Adani Group, received letters of support from eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations. These organizations, which focus on diverse welfare activities such as health, education, and women?s empowerment, have met with the CEO of Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL) to express their backing for the survey currently being conducted in Dharavi. Noor Mohammed Khan of Global Giving Foundation and All India Police Jan Seva Sangathna extended support while raising 13 questions regarding the redevelopment plan. These queries covered various aspects, including the duration of free maintenance for flats constructed to rehabilitate Dharavi residents and the status of those who moved into Dharavi post-January 2000, which is the cutoff date for determining eligibility for the new flats. Khan confirmed that the authority has promised to respond to these questions. In a letter dated August 20, the Enlighten Foundation also voiced support for the survey. Rajeshkumar Panirselvam, founder and president of the Enlighten Foundation, stated, ?The residents and commercial premises owners are not against the project or the survey. It is opposed only by a handful of people with vested interests who are not locals and are oblivious to the living conditions in Dharavi.? The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj CHS, a local resident association, expressed a desire to proceed with the survey and the long-delayed redevelopment project, emphasizing the need for progress after decades of stagnation. Many generations have passed, waiting for the area to be redeveloped, but only now are we witnessing a positive step, the association wrote. The survey, which began on March 18, 2024, has so far covered over 11,000 tenements through door-to-door visits and numbered more than 30,000 properties, including residential, commercial, and religious structures across Dharavi. The Thevar Samajam, representing the largest Tamil community in Dharavi, assured DRPPL of the local residents and business owners eagerness to see the redevelopment move forward. Youth groups such as Dharavikar Iron Group and Om Shri Gauri Mitra Mandal have offered to volunteer as facilitators for the survey, underscoring the community's commitment to the project. The All India Police Jan Seva Sanghatana, representing the interests of police and government residences in Dharavi, has called for direct dialogue with residents to counter misinformation about the redevelopment. Despite heavy rainfall and challenging conditions in Dharavi's narrow lanes, over 40 DRP survey teams are working diligently to ensure comprehensive coverage. The survey teams will soon be increased to 100 to expedite the data collection process. Mapping Dharavi's approximately 600 acres is crucial for the redevelopment, which is expected to take seven years to complete. The state government's unique policy guarantees housing for all residents, eligible or not, with eligible residents receiving a 350 sq ft flat in Dharavi and others being rehoused elsewhere in Mumbai. The DRP, a Maharashtra government department, along with DRPPL a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group is conducting the survey to gather data from Dharavi's numerous informal tenement residents, crucial for determining eligibility for rehabilitation under the proposed redevelopment project. The current redevelopment plan marks the state government's fourth attempt to transform Dharavi through a global tender, and it is gaining significant local support as a transformative initiative, not just a real estate project.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Cabinet Clears Rs 15.07 Bn Greenfield Airport Project in Kota-Bundi

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal for the development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan, at an estimated cost of Rs 15.07 billion.Kota, located on the banks of the Chambal River, is widely recognised as the industrial capital of Rajasthan and a prominent educational coaching hub. To support the region’s growing needs, the Government of Rajasthan has handed over 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for the project.The new Greenfield Airport will be designed to handle oper..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt may extend MSME NPA classification period to 180 days

The Union government is considering a proposal to extend the non-performing asset (NPA) classification period for loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the existing 90 days to 180 days, according to a senior government official who requested anonymity.“The proposal to extend the loan default period for MSMEs from 90 days to 180 days is likely to be taken up by the Cabinet soon,” the official said.The move is expected to provide relief to cash-strapped MSMEs, especially against the backdrop of steep US tariffs, giving them more time to regularise their loan repayments.Ne..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

FedEx, IIT Madras Launch SMART Centre for Sustainable, AI-led Logistics

FedEx has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to inaugurate the SMART Centre (Supply Chain Modelling, Algorithms, Research and Technology Centre) on the institute’s campus. The facility will drive innovation in sustainable and AI-driven logistics solutions. Backed by a five-year $5 million grant from FedEx, the SMART Centre aims to combine advanced research, digital technologies, and industry expertise to transform supply chains with a focus on agility, resilience, and environmental responsibility.The centre will also spearhead interdisciplinary projects in ar..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?