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World’s Biggest Slum Redevelopment Project Takes Off

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1 year ago

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SVR SRINIVAS, the CEO of Dharavi Redevelopment Project, speaks to S BALAKRISHNAN about the super-gigantic mission. Explaining how everyone’s home and livelihood will remain intact, he says Dharavi is ‘Mini India’ and every faith and language will be respected without bulldozing the residents

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is the biggest urban renewal programme ever undertaken in the country. For the past several decades, there have been talks of redeveloping Asia’s largest slum, but this is the first time a concrete project, which is being jointly executed by the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, has taken off the drawing stage, holding hope for lakhs of residents.

The sheer numbers are mind boggling. About 50% of the one million population might be eligible to be accommodated in Dharavi itself, while the remaining ineligible people will have to be relocated at different places in the metropolis. The total estimated cost is Rs96,000 crore and the project is to be executed over a period of seven years. The man at the centre of it all is SVR SRINIVAS, 59, a seasoned IAS officer of the 1991 batch, who is the CEO of DRP. He spoke exclusively to S BALAKRISHNAN on Wednesday.

When you took charge of the Dharavi project, what were the three main challenges you had in mind?

The first challenge was on-boarding the people, the residents of Dharavi. A project of this scale cannot happen without their involvement. Our approach is totally inclusive. So, the first step was to bring all the stakeholders together.

The second challenge was preparing a proper framework to attract market response. You see, this project had seen multiple failed bidding rounds in the past. It had earned the dubious distinction of being the world’s longestrunning bid process; going on for nearly 20 years!

The third challenge was to ensure livelihoods in Dharavi are protected. That required proper financial structuring, which was missing earlier.

So, to sum up:

■ Stakeholder integration

■ Financial structuring

■ Ensuring project viability and financial closure

This has been the longest-drawn project since the days of Rajiv Gandhi in 1985. What makes you confident it will succeed this time?

Let me answer in two ways. First, we’ve already seen half-success. Well begun is half done, they say. Work has started. Financial mobilisation has begun. India’s largest survey was conducted; we’ve finished about 85-90% of it. Survey work started today in Kumbharwada. So yes, it’s definitely moving forward, unlike earlier attempts.

Second, the stakeholders are onboarded now. There is still some resistance, but it is far less than before. Earlier, during the bidding stage, protests used to break out. Now, it’s more of a dialogue. The locals want to be heard, and our job is to listen and offer solutions. That’s what’s happening now.

The opposition has accused the government of “selling out” the project and displacing people. Please comment.

Not at all. In fact, I don’t even call this a ‘project’; it’s a movement. This is the most inclusive slum redevelopment scheme in Indian history. Our goal is simple: housing for all. For the first time, we’re giving homes to everyone – eligible or ineligible. Shops, factories, and commercial units are also being rehabilitated.

Normally, in Mumbai’s schemes, 50% are marked ineligible and left out. But here, even they are being accommodated. I won’t comment on politics, but yes, this is a brownfield project like no other. I’ve handled Mumbai Metro and other big projects, but nothing as complex as this. Also, this is the world’s largest urban renewal project.

What about livelihoods and the economy of Dharavi?

That’s central. Dharavi has a bubbling informal economy. We’re protecting it. Eligible residents will stay in Dharavi – homes, shops, businesses – all remain. Ineligible residents’ commercial units will also remain; they’ll only move residences outside, but their work continues in Dharavi. We had to go out-of-the-box for this – even suggested this to the chief minister, and he supported it.

So, ineligible people get to keep their business in Dharavi but move out for housing?

Yes. Due to legal constraints and court rulings, we cannot keep extending cutoff dates for eligibility. It would jeopardise the project’s viability. So, ineligible commercial operators can stay and run businesses in Dharavi, but their homes will be in rental housing nearby; with an option to buy. Eligible families get 350 sq ft homes in Dharavi. In some non-slum sectors, we’re even increasing units to 500 sq ft.

What about infrastructure – roads, sewage, water?

That’s part of our 3-tier focus:

■ Residential/Commercial/Industrial housing

■ Physical Infrastructure: Roads, sewage, water, electricity

■ Social Infrastructure: Schools, hospitals, community centres, temples, mosques, churches etc.

Today, Dharavi has 2-3 ft wide lanes, limited sunlight, and poor sanitation. We’re changing all that. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is responsible for all construction, infrastructure, and handover to the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority.

Who bears the maintenance cost of these new buildings?

Great question. Usually, developers give Rs40,000 per tenement as a corpus. We felt that’s not enough. So, we introduced a new idea: 10% of every building’s area will be set aside as commercial units. Rent or sale income from this will go to the society for maintenance.

It’s a win-win situation. This is the first time such a model is being implemented. Ineligible people will be accommodated in rental housing units in Kurla, Malad and Mulund with buyout options. So no one is rendered homeless.

What about religious structures?

There will be no bulldozing. Whether it’s a temple, mosque, or church; we respect all faiths. A committee led by retired High Court judges is handling rehabilitation of religious structures and their staff. Dharavi is Mini India; every faith and every language exists here. We aim to consolidate and rebuild grand structures, with community consensus.

When will Phase I be complete?

The goal is seven years. Mumbai’s average slum project takes 15-20 years. But we can’t say ‘you’ll get your home in 25 years’. As John Maynard Keynes said, “In the long run, we’re all dead.” So, 7 years is a practical target. Maybe a year or two of delay, but I’m reasonably confident.

How important is communication in this process?

Extremely important. I recently met people from Kumbharwada and Andolan groups – many weren’t aware of the commercial continuity assurance. That shows we need more communication. This interview itself is part of that effort – to inform people.

Dharavi’s informal economy generates nearly $1 billion annually – leather, textiles, food, recycling, and electronics. But they’ve been trapped in a lowinvestment cycle due to uncertainty. This project offers permanence, which unlocks confidence, investments, and growth. Our master plan includes dedicated industrial hubs. So yes, it’s a social engineering and economic upliftment project. We’re working hard to make this vision a reality.

Strong resident response as survey nears completion

Toll-free helpline registers 300 calls in past 30 days for eligibility survey

As the survey phase of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) comes to an end, a significant number of residents, who had earlier missed or had not participated, are calling the project’s toll-free helpline for inclusion.

Out of 700 calls received in the past month, nearly 41% enquiries were related to requests to complete the door-to-door/ household survey, a crucial step in the redevelopment process to decide eligibility. This response highlights the palpable anxiety among residents about missing out on the redevelopment scheme and foregoing its housing benefits.

As only a few tenements and communities remain who have volunteered to exclude themselves from the eligibility survey like the Kumbharwada, Compound 13, a handful tenements on private lands in various slum pockets, it is a sign that residents are sensing time is slipping away. Despite initial resistance, Kumbharwada residents have started volunteering to get their tenements numbered in the past two days.

“We are heartened by the volume and quality of engagement we are receiving from the residents. The fact that nearly half of the calls are about the survey process shows that people are informed, interested, and eager to participate in the transformation. We remain committed to a transparent, people-first redevelopment effort that keeps communication open at every stage. This is a ‘housing for all’ project,” a DRP official said.

The toll-free helpline continues to serve as a vital two-way communication channel, ensuring that residents are heard, their doubts addressed, and their concerns recorded.

The DRP is among the largest and the most inclusive urban renewal initiatives in the world, aiming to uplift over 10 lakh residents through well-planned housing, infrastructure, and community services without displacing the social and economic fabric of the area.

Other queries received on the helpline were requests for a list of documents to complete eligibility verification, timeline expectations, and when new homes will be allotted. There were also inquiries about location, size of new housing units, numbering of upper floors and the recent campaign urging residents to come forward for the survey.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra SIR: Congress MLA seeks deadline extension for electoral roll corrections

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8 hours ago

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September 9, 2026

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Mumbai, Sep 9: Congress MLA Amin Patel wrote to Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam, raising serious concerns over the large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls in the Mumbadevi Assembly constituency following the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive.

In a letter to the CEO, Patel highlighted that nearly 95,732 voters have been deleted from the draft electoral roll published on August 31, 2026. While official grounds cite absent, shifted, duplicate, or deceased voters (ASDD), Patel alleged that poor outreach and lack of proper communication by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were significant contributing factors.

“As of September 8, 2026, not a single Form No 6 (used for re-enrollment and new registrations) had been accepted by BLOs in the region. No official notices were served to voters facing electoral roll anomalies or unmapped status to appear for hearings. Citizens attempting to contact assigned BLOs faced unanswered calls or switched-off phones, causing unnecessary distress to residents trying to rectify their voter status. With the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival season, BLOs are expected to be occupied with festival-related duties, creating a high likelihood that citizens will miss the current submission deadlines,” said Patel.

To ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised, Patel requested an urgent deadline extension within legal parameters. He has demanded that for submission of Form 6 (Re-enrollment & New Registration), the time period be extended from September 30, 2026, to October 31, 2026 and for Anomaly & Unmapped Voter Hearings from October 29, 2026, to November 30, 2026.

Patel urged the Chief Electoral Officer to sympathetically consider the gravity of the situation and take immediate corrective measures.

Patel’s request comes after the exclusion of 2.07 crore voters in the draft voter list released on August 31. Of the final categorisation of the 2.07 crore uncollected Enumeration Forms (EFs), they include 75.52 lakh: Absent or untraceable voters, 76.80 lakh: Permanently shifted voters, 34.81 lakh: Deceased voters, 17.63 lakh: Duplicate entries or voters already registered elsewhere and 2.23 lakh: Other reasons.

Chockalingam said that 2.07 crore being in the “Uncollectable Enumeration Forms (accounting for 21.15% of Maharashtra’s 9.78 crore electorates) does not mean permanent removal immediately; it marks exclusion from the Draft Electoral Roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 drive in Maharashtra which began on July 1. “I appeal to every voter to check the draft electoral roll,” said Chockalingam.

“Do not merely look at the statewide figures. Check whether your own name is on the list and whether your details are correct. If your name is missing, apply for inclusion. If there is an error, request a correction. If there is an issue regarding the removal of a name, you can submit Form 6 to apply for re-inclusion. The draft list is not the final list; a complete process of claims and objections will take place before the final voter list is released,” he added.

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Sugar prices curb: Maharashtra sugarcane crushing season set to begin on Oct 15​

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9 hours ago

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September 9, 2026

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Mumbai, Sep 9: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led high-level committee on Wednesday decided to advance the upcoming sugarcane crushing season for 2026-27 to October 15.

The state government’s decision comes when soaring sugar prices during the festive season have strained household budgets across Maharashtra.

The state government hopes the commencement of sugarcane crushing season from October 15 instead of November 1 demanded by sugar factories will stabilise the market and ensure an adequate supply of sugar.

This marks an earlier rollout compared to previous operational years, following seasons that started on November 1, 2025, and November 15, 2024, respectively.

The meeting was attended by Co-operation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, former Minister Dilip Walse Patil, along with legislators and representatives from factory associations.

The move comes as retail sugar prices jumped to Rs 70–75 per kg in August due to a domestic supply crunch caused by lower production last season.

Normally, the crushing season commences in November.

However, with major festivals like Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali approaching—and following advisories from the Central government to top-producing states — the Maharashtra administration decided to begin operations nearly a month early to prevent further price spikes.

The proposed October 15 start date has, however, met with opposition from sugar mill owners and farmers.

Industry representatives said that starting the crushing process before November is financially disadvantageous for both factories and growers due to lower sugarcane maturity and sugar recovery rates at that time of the year.

Despite the pushback from millers, the state government remains focused on controlling inflation and stabilising supply before the peak festive period.

Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil said, “The decision to advance the sugarcane crushing season from October 15 was taken in the wake of festive season and also to avoid damage to the standing sugarcane.”

According to crop estimations prepared by the Agriculture Department and MITCON, the state expects sugarcane cultivation across 15.43 to 15.48 lakh hectares.

Total cane production is projected to reach 1,238 to 1,250 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), yielding an estimated 990 to 1,000 LMT of cane for crushing.

Net sugar production is anticipated to hover between 96.45 and 97.58 LMT at a net recovery rate of 9.75 per cent, after diverting nearly 15 LMT of sugar equivalent toward ethanol production.

Reviewing the performance of the preceding 2025–26 crushing season (as of August 31, 2026), official records revealed that 210 sugar mills (102 cooperative and 108 private) processed 1,045 LMT of sugarcane.

Minister Patil said that the arrears payable by the sugar mills towards Fair and Remunerative Price are of the order of Rs 200 crore.

He added that the state government is taking action against such mills for clearing the dues.

He told that these mills won’t be entitled to get crushing license for the upcoming season.

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Maharashtra

MPSC aspirant’s death by suicide in Pune amid paper leak row sparks outrage

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9 hours ago

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September 9, 2026

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Pune, Sept 9: A youth preparing for Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination allegedly died by suicide in Pune, allegedly due to recurring incidents of paper leak and financial distress. The deceased has been identified as Prathamesh Deshmukh. Police suspect that severe financial difficulties, including an unpaid debt of Rs 2.5 lakh, led him to take this extreme step.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage among exam aspirants in the state. Pune, widely regarded as the educational hub of Maharashtra, has recently come under intense scrutiny over repeated paper leak scandals, including connections to NEET, CET, and the latest drug inspector examination leaks.

In the wake of the incident, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshvardhan Sapkal and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke launched a scathing attack on the state government. Demanding the immediate resignation of the MPSC Chairman and Secretary, Sapkal accused the state government of evading responsibility.

“The government is acting deaf and blind. A student from Dharashiv ended his life—this is a victim of government apathy,” Sapkal said.

“If the Chairman does not resign, it implies that he is a close ally of the Chief Minister and was appointed specifically to facilitate paper leaks,” he added.

Expressing grief over Prathamesh’s demise, CJP chief Abhijit Dipke appealed to competitive exam aspirants across the state to refrain from taking extreme measures. Highlighting the plight of rural students who migrate to Pune for exam preparation, Dipke stated that while the government may not value their lives, their families depend on them.

Deshmukh’s suicide comes after the MPSC aspirants held protests in Pune on Monday and in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday demanding the resignation of MPSC Chairman and concerned officials for paper leaks.

Highlighting recent revelations surrounding the MPSC Excise (Departmental) Examination, the protestors alleged direct institutional complicity in administrative malpractices, pointing to reports implicating a high-ranking joint secretary-level officer in leaking exam marking patterns. They demanded an immediate removal and replacement of the current MPSC Chairman and Secretary and press for their replacement with officers of unblemished integrity, comprehensive criminal investigations and strict legal proceedings against all officials and middlemen implicated in scam allegations and pattern leaks and complete structural reform and cleansing of the MPSC examination and recruitment frameworks.

NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar, who has been actively supporting the MPSC aspirants’ demand said, “It is deeply shocking that while students dedicate 20 hours a day to rigorous preparation, officials within the commission are allegedly selling exam materials. This injustice against hardworking candidates will not be tolerated. This march is not political; it is a fight for the future of our youth.”

Dismissing allegations that opposition parties are politicising the issue, Rohit Pawar emphasised that the protest represents genuine public outrage.

“Are the demands of students seeking fair opportunities political? These candidates have assembled on their own accord to protect their rights. People paying 50 to 60 lakh rupees to secure posts through corruption will not be accepted by these students or by the state of Maharashtra,” he asked.

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