Dharavi Redevelopment Set To Generate Rs 10,000 Crore: Who Will Qualify For Free Homes, And Who Will Pay?

Maharashtra could earn a substantial sum of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 crore from the redevelopment of Dharavi, primarily through rent and the sale of homes to residents found ineligible for free housing, according to sources mentioned in the report by Hindustan Times (HT).

These funds will be generated as part of the Dharavi redevelopment project, which is currently in progress. The state government is in the process of finalising a policy that will set rates for rental or ownership housing for these ineligible residents. The policy is expected to be approved by the state cabinet soon, confirmed Valsa Nair Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary for Housing in HT.

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Dharavi, known as one of Asia's largest slum clusters, is undergoing a massive transformation led by the Adani Group through its Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL). The redevelopment plan offers free housing to families who meet specific criteria. Residents whose homes were built before January 1, 2000, and those living on the ground floor are eligible for free homes within Dharavi itself. These homes will have a standard size of 350 square feet.

For residents who are not eligible for free housing, the plan includes two main options. Those whose homes were constructed between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2011, will have the opportunity to buy homes at affordable prices. Residents of homes built after January 1, 2011, will be provided rental housing through the state's affordable rental housing scheme, with the option to purchase outright.

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Currently, DRPPL is conducting a comprehensive survey, visiting nearly 300,000 tenements in Dharavi to determine which residents qualify for free housing. It is estimated that around 40 to 45 per cent of the tenement holders will be eligible for the free homes.

These homes will be constructed in 20-25-storey buildings on a six-acre plot that is owned by the railways, which has been designated for the project. Although the final design of the buildings is still being decided, construction work has already started, following a groundbreaking ceremony held on September 12.

For those found ineligible for free housing, alternative accommodations will be provided in other parts of Mumbai at subsidised rates. DRPPL is currently in discussions with various government agencies to secure land for these homes, including railway, salt pan, and depot land. Talks are also underway with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and other authorities to potentially use vacant buildings for housing.

Once the Dharavi redevelopment is completed, the area will be transformed into a modern township, spanning 600 acres. It will feature essential amenities such as schools, hospitals, gardens, and well-constructed roads, offering a significantly improved standard of living for residents.