In 2003, the then Congress government wanted Mumbai to transform into Shanghai, and a task force headed by chief secretary recommended developing Dharavi as part of the plan.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project covers 240.35 hectares of land. File photo

Now, a little over a decade later, and after spending more than Rs 50 crore and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) erecting an 18-storey tower in the area, the new government wants to take public opinion into account when it comes to the redevelopment of Asia’s largest slum. The state government wants to know whether Dharavi’s residents want to redevelop the slum themselves.

The Dharavi Redevelop-ment Project covers 240.35 hectares, of which 57.68 hectares is owned by private parties and needs to be acquired for the project.

When asked about the proposed redevelopment, Prakash Mehta, housing minister, said, “We have given one sector to MHADA and the remaining four sectors have to be redeveloped. If we go ahead with an FSI of 4, the rehabilitation and the saleable component don’t fit. Most slum dwellers want permission to redevelop the slums themselves. Dharavi has many committees. We will consult them and publish an advertisement asking residents whether they want to develop slum societies on their own or let the government do it. This has to be done by April.”

Activists, however, claim this will not only confuse the slum dwellers but also lead to trust deficit. Sanjay Shinde, founder, Dharavi Nagrik Manch said, “Having Dharavi residents believe that redevelopment was underway, and now starting from scratch again is stupid. People have given their suggestions and the government should implement those.”