CM Devendra Fadnavis approves masterplan to turn 600 acres of slum into modern, sustainable neighbourhood; revamp to take seven years. The plan was presented to Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and senior IAS officials during a high-level meeting held at the Maharashtra government’s Sahyadri Guest House at Malabar Hill
The estimated cost of rehabilitating Dharavi residents affected by the project is pegged at Rs 25,000 crore. File pic
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday gave his nod to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRPL) master plan that aims to change one of Asia’s largest slums into a modern, sustainable neighbourhood. The plan was presented to Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and senior IAS officials during a high-level meeting held at the Maharashtra government’s Sahyadri Guest House at Malabar Hill. Fadnavis asserted that the redevelopment should be carried out in an environment-friendly and integrated manner.
In the meeting on Wednesday, Fadnavis instructed that redevelopment should be implemented while preserving the commercial identity of the area. “The agencies concerned should coordinate to ensure this key element is given priority during the development,” the CM said. Aware of the local and political opposition to the project, the CM emphasised on carrying out activities in a coordinated manner, while keeping public sentiment at the centre and local people in confidence. Dy CM Eknath Shinde directed the departments concerned to promptly secure the necessary approvals for the project.
Construction for Dharavi’s project-affected people near the salt pan land in Mulund East. File Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
The move drew sharp criticism, with Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad saying the ‘Adani Sarkar’ has betrayed the residents of Dharavi again. “Without any people consultation or adherence to due legal process, the chief minister approved the master plan for Dharavi despite widespread public unrest. This is not a master plan for development, but the blueprint for Adani’s astronomical vikas (progress) at the cost of all those who built and nurtured Dharavi over generations. This isn’t redevelopment — it is the biggest real estate grab in history. A vinash (destructive) project to expand Adani's empire in the heart of Mumbai, displacing lakhs of people in the process. The people of Dharavi have consistently and unequivocally opposed Adani’s ‘Dharavi vinash’ plan.”
According to Gaikwad, the question is, if the tenement survey is still ongoing, on what basis has this master plan been finalised and approved? “How can existing and proposed land use be determined based on old data or an incomplete survey? This approval also violates provisions of the MRTP Act, which clearly state that any new draft master plan must be subjected to public scrutiny. It cannot be sanctioned without first inviting public suggestions, objections, and holding hearings. So, why has this critical process been bypassed? Why are laws repeatedly bent, twisted, and broken, always in favour of Adani?” she questioned. “The law exists for a reason. Follow it… Don’t bulldoze it! Dharavi is not for sale!
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave the approval for the project master plan on Wednesday. File pic
Dharavikars will continue to fight for their rights, and every one of them must be rehabilitated within Dharavi itself.” While Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai was not reachable, Baburao Mane, former Shiv Sena (undivided) MLA from Dharavi, said the plan has been designed keeping Adani centre stage and not the people of Dharavi. “Public suggestion and objection needs to be given a hearing. If this process is not followed, we will hit the streets to protest,” Mane said. Mane, also a Dharavi Bachao Andolan leader, said that apart from street protests, the locals would even take the battle to court.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that if the plan is approved without following due process of giving a public hearing, then it is clear indication of the government working to benefit their industrialist friend. “Without hearing the locals’ suggestions and objections, how can the plan get a go-ahead. This is nothing but dictatorship and the cheating of people in Dharavi,” Raut said.
On March 25, the state cabinet had given its nod to a proposal wherein ineligible tenants would not only will be given accommodation on a rental basis, but after 12 years, the tenement would be transferred in the name of the occupant. Slums that came up prior to 2001 would get free houses and the ones that came up between 2001 and 2011 would pay construction cost rates. Tenements after 2011 are not eligible for the project.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is estimated to cost over Rs 200,000 crore and involves constructing 100 million square feet for rehabilitation. According to rough estimates, approximately 1.25 lakh tenements — both residential and commercial units — will need to be rehabilitated. The revamp will be carried out by Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL) — a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group. While the project involves construction of 100 million square feet for rehabilitation for which, NMDPL will have the rights to develop and sell 140 million square feet for free sale. The Adani Group holds 80 per cent stake in NMDPL and the balance is held by the state government.
Plan, timeline
As per the plan, the redevelopment will turn 600 acres of prime land into a township. The transformation of the slum into a planned city is expected to be complete within the next seven years.
Estimated cost
Project: Rs 200,000 - 300,000 crore
Rehabilitation: Rs 25,000 crore
*As per statistics shared by DRPL earlier.
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