Maharashtra Greenlights Dharavi Master Plan With 70,000 Units, Residents Voice Concerns

Dharavi is not just a slum - it's one of the most well-known residential communities in the world. Spanning just over 2.39 square kilometres, it is home to anywhere between 300,000 to nearly a million people, making it one of the most densely populated areas on the planet.

Though modest in size, Dharavi holds a massive place in Mumbai's identity - not because of its footprint, but because of what it represents: resilience, resourcefulness, and the hope of millions seeking a better life.

Dharavi Redevelopment Master Plan Approved: Over 70,000 Units to Be Constructed

The Maharashtra government has approved the master plan for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), which proposes the construction of 58,532 residential units and 13,468 commercial and industrial units for the rehabilitation of eligible tenants. The announcement was made during a review meeting held on May 27, 2025, attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior state officials.

The project will be implemented across the 251.24-hectare Dharavi Notified Area. Of this, 108.99 hectares will be used for redevelopment, while the rest is designated for infrastructure and public utilities. The plan aims to relocate and rehabilitate a large section of Dharavi's population and small businesses, with a focus on integrating environmental and infrastructural upgrades into the redevelopment process.

Concerns Over Implementation and Community Involvement

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government. It seeks to redevelop Asia's largest informal settlement, which is home to an estimated 60,000 families. While the plan outlines residential and commercial redevelopment, it has also prompted concerns among residents and civil society groups regarding the future of small-scale manufacturing units in the area.

Activists and community members have called for more clarity on the rehabilitation process, particularly about where and how current residents and businesses will be relocated. "Citizens should be told where they will be rehabilitated. Objections or suggestions should be invited, which hasn't happened yet," said lawyer and activist Sagar Devre. Questions have also been raised regarding how the authorities will classify unauthorised occupants and how public feedback will be incorporated into the implementation phase.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, the plan intends to retain the original commercial identity of Dharavi while ensuring that eligible residents are accommodated within the redeveloped area. Officials have been directed to maintain transparency and engage with local communities as development progresses.