Citizens in areas affected by the Dharavi redevelopment scheme and a proposed Project Affected Persons (PAP) colony in Mulund have formed an association to seek clarity on the project. Mumbai Bachao Samiti, which plans to hold a rally of residents from these areas if the government fails to answer questions on the project during the ongoing assembly session, was announced at a meeting in Mulund on Saturday where locals have been opposing a PAP colony for 7500 families is being constructed. The colony is also meant to house families displaced by development projects across the city as well as those from Dharavi who are not eligible for housing there, among other things according to some Mulundites who said that their area cannot handle more people.

However many residents do not want to move out of Dharavi because it will affect their livelihoods; besides this another complication arises with plans using land belonging to a defunct dairy located at Kurla for rehousing other evacuated persons from Dharavi which has been opposed by kurlaites who want it converted into recreational space instead.

Mulund, Kurla, and Dharavi Demands Clarity

Sagar Devre, a resident of Mulund East and member of Mumbai Bachao Samiti told us that they have been opposing PAP colony since October 2023. “In January we came to know the government is planning to bring Dharavites Mulund. Why govt bringing people from Dharavi Mulund against their wish?” asked Devare.

They will meet chief minister Eknath Shinde during this session of Assembly State said the group adding “If they don\’t give us positive reply then we will organize morcha of Bhandup, Mulund, Kurla, and Darhavi residents till mantra laya,” said Devre

Residents also want numbers clarity on how many people are covered under the Dharavis project. While some wild estimates say there are one million people, a count done in 2008 found 80,000 families and another survey is currently on. Devre said there is no clarity on how many families are eligible for free and subsidized housing.

The project has been implemented by Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Adani group and the Government. In an earlier statement, DRPPL had said that GRs and tenders spell out eligibility for in-situ rehabilitation only for tenements in existence before January 1, 2000. While these residents will get free houses, those higher up to January 1, 2011, will get homes in MMR for Rs2.5 lakh or rental housing. Tenants that came into existence between January 1, 2011, and the date yet to be announced by the government will get homes under the proposed affordable rental home policy with the option of hire-purchase. DRPPL had also said that land would be given to DRP, not Adani or DRPPL.