MUMBAI: After the 259-hectare Dharavi Redevelopment Project was formally handed over to an Adani Group company, residents here fear its impact on poor people dependent on local businesses. The Maharashtra government has entrusted the project to the Adani Group company. The project, with a revenue potential of Rs 20,000 crore, involves the redevelopment of the Dharavi slum located near the BKC business district in central Mumbai.
One of the largest slums in Asia, Dharavi has a large number of slums and many small businesses operate here. Paul Raphael, president of the Dharavi Citizen Service Association, said, “We are surprised to learn that the state government has handed over the project to a company of the Adani group. There are hundreds of two-story structures in the area, with one room occupied by the homeowner and the other occupied by the tenant, and some depend on the rental income to meet their household expenses.
He asked what they would do if these structures were demolished as part of the project and the landlords were later given just a room. Reacting to the state government’s decision, Dharavi resident advocate Sandeep Katake alleged that the project would be the world’s biggest land scam. He said that if the government really wants to redevelop Dharavi, a fresh survey should be done. He said that 80 percent of people depend on local businesses, which need to be protected.
Who is going to benefit from the Dharavi project?
The lawyer claimed, “No family should be shifted out of Dharavi in the name of redevelopment. Adani is getting six crore square feet of space for sale, which is going to earn him three lakh crore rupees. Who is going to benefit from the Dharavi project? Of the local residents or of Adani?
There are thousands of slums in the area, each with four to five families, said a resident. After redevelopment, they may get only one flat, which will not be enough for them.
Such businesses will cease to exist after redevelopment
Local resident Tarun Das said, “More than 2,000 idli vendors are living in Dharavi and supply it to the entire city. Such businesses will cease to exist after redevelopment. Units manufacturing leather products, artificial jewelry, and other items will be closed.
