Dharavi Redevelopment Project clarifies due process followed in Ganesh Nagar–Meghwadi rehabilitation

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project DRP and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority on Friday said demolition action carried out in Ganesh NagarndashMeghwadi was undertaken after following the required legal and administrative procedures rejecting claims that residents were removed without prior noticeThe clarification came after concerns were raised over the demolition of structures in the area According to the Administrative Officer and Tahsildar of the DRP the action followed several months of notices individual warnings hearings and counselling sessions for affected occupantsAuthorities cite notices and hearings before demolitionThe authority said the process began in April when a public notice was issued to residents of Sector6 directing them to execute rental agreements and vacate their premises The notice also sought to prevent inconvenience to residents during the monsoon seasonIndividual vacation notices were subsequently served on all affected occupants the DRP saidResidents who had objections were given an opportunity to present their cases during formal hearings conducted on July 6 and July 13 The authority said these hearings were part of the administrative process undertaken before the demolition actionA public demolition notice was then displayed on July 28 informing residents about the proposed actionThe demolition was carried out on August 6 involving 16 identified structures or hutments According to the DRP 12 occupants vacated the structures voluntarily following counselling by officialsFour structures cleared with police assistanceThe remaining four structures were removed with police assistance after the occupants continued to refuse to comply with the notices the authority saidThe DRP said the removal of the structures was necessary to clear land required for major public and railway infrastructure projects The cleared area is also linked to construction work for rehabilitation on railway land in Mahim and MatungaThe authority maintained that the action was not taken without warning and said residents had been given multiple opportunities to comply with the notices and participate in the administrative processRental assistance linked to rehabilitation processThe DRP also clarified the position regarding rental assistance and relocation benefits for affected familiesAccording to the authority rental assistance is provided to affected families irrespective of the final determination of their eligibility status Residents whose eligibility remains pending are given opportunities to complete document verification before the competent government authorities it saidThe authority further said that occupants who fail to vacate after receiving due notice and after completion of the prescribed legal proceedings can be evicted under applicable statutory provisions It added that such occupants may also risk losing rental assistance and relocation benefitsThe clarification comes as redevelopment and infrastructure work continues in Dharavi where land clearance and rehabilitation are key components of the larger redevelopment process The authority said it was balancing the need to proceed with infrastructure work with the requirement to provide affected residents opportunities to complete the necessary documentationDRP says rights of eligible beneficiaries will be protectedThe DRP said the rehabilitation process would continue to be carried out within the applicable legal framework and that residents with pending documentation would be allowed to complete the verification processThe authority also stressed that the demolition action was preceded by notices and hearings rather than being carried out without warning It said the process was intended to ensure that residents were informed and given opportunities to respond before enforcement action was takenThe Dharavi Redevelopment Project remains committed to implementing rehabilitation in a transparent lawful and humane manner while ensuring timely delivery of critical public infrastructure and safeguarding the rights of all eligible beneficiaries the statement saidWith inputs from IANS