Government now considers self-development for Dharavi

Mumbai: After failing to attract developers for Dharavi’s redevelopment, the state government is mulling over asking its residents to opt for self-development. However, a few officials have raised objection to this as it might affect the overall development of the locality which of home to one of the largest slums in the world. Also, the experts think that self-development is not a financially viable option.

The state government has decided to divide Dharavi into 12 sectors, as developers did not come forward to redevelop the locality after it was divided it into five sectors. However, the government notified the area and hence self-development is not possible at present.

“It is true that there was no response for the Dharavi redevelopment project. But we are mulling over giving it to the residents for self-development. They can form societies and develop the land. We have not received any such demand so far,” housing minister Prakash Mehta said. However, he added that a few have opposed the idea. “There is a fear that self-development of a few societies might affect the overall development of Dharavi,” he said.

However, Raju Korde, an expert on Dharavi’s redevelopment, said that the idea is not feasible. “For self-development, the residents need to be organised and have some financial support. They would require funds to submit their development plan, appoint an architect and pay rent to residents after they vacate their houses. It is only possible if the government and banks are ready to fully support the residents. However, there is no such example in Mumbai of self-development,” Mr Korde said.

However, Mr Korde said it is not impossible to develop Dharavi. “The government needs to have the right perspective. For example, if railway land is acquired in sector one, then residents of two sectors can be rehabilitated there. However, the government has big plans that are difficult to implement in reality,” he said.

The government had divided Dharavi into five sectors and floated global tenders for its development five times. However, it did not get any response, to its embarrassment.