“Apna time ayega” the anthem of hope from Gully Boy and the worldwide success of Slumdog Millionaire has drawn global attention to Dharavi, making it into a global tourist hotspot and the definition of cultural appropriation of India in the eyes of foreigners. While these cinematic depictions have helped put Dharavi on the map where dreams emerge despite hardships, highlighting the raw talent, ambition, hope, and positive spirit that flourishes within the tight knit community, they risk oversimplifying its reality by romanticizing struggles that, for residents, are part of their daily life. Behind the global image lies a community facing severe challenges, living in conditions that require urgent intervention.
Situated in Mumbai, Dharavi is one of the world’s largest slums, spanning just 2.39 square kilometers but housing over a million people - more than the population of Bhutan, Iceland or Maldives,. It’s a unique blend of residential life and industry, with over 15,000 single room factories materials and manufacturing products that sustain Mumbai's economy, contributing approximately $1 billion annually.
However, the lack of infrastructure has turned into a public health hazard, making Dharavi’s population vulnerable to disease and health issues, including respiratory illnesses due to poor waste management.
Dharavi’s residents face stark living conditions. On average 10-15 people often share a house sized just about 100-120 sq feet, usually with no access to private toilets. Public sanitation facilities are scarce, with only 1 toilet per 1,450 people and a single water tap per 100 residents. These limited resources particularly impact women, for whom daily life, including menstrual hygiene, becomes even more challenging under these conditions. Inadequate sanitation results in 4000 cases of typhoid and diphtheria.
Intensifying this is the congested working environment, where leather factory laborers work 12-14 hours in an area as small as 37 sq ft. The overcrowding, lack of basic hygiene, and infrastructure create harsh living and working conditions that urgently need attention.
In response to these pressing issues, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) proposes a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative designed to improve living conditions, protect livelihoods, and enhance the economic landscape of Dharavi. This project aims to resettle nearly one million people, providing every family with a self-contained home, including a private living room, kitchen, toilet, and bathroom. Essential infrastructure will be prioritized, ensuring all families have access to clean water, sanitation, and adequate space.
Extra emphasis would be given to safety and security for families, reducing vulnerabilities associated with informal housing alongside focusing on women and youth empowerment by providing them with high quality education, better employment opportunities and facilities like skill development centers. Extra emphasis is placed on family safety and security, with targeted initiatives for women and youth empowerment, including high-quality education and skill development centers.
One of the project’s core goals is preserving Dharavi’s industrial legacy while modernizing it. Micro-enterprises, small-scale industries, and traditional businesses will be supported with dedicated retail spaces in new buildings, tax benefits for industrial units, and modern facilities that foster growth and innovation. Additionally, skill development centers will focus on empowering women and youth, offering education and job training that aligns with both traditional and new-age industries.
This redevelopment project emphasizes economic continuity during the construction phase and new commercial spaces that foster local businesses, leading to economic growth. Residents will also have access to social infrastructure like schools, healthcare, and open spaces. Additionally, notable benefits like maintenance-free living for the first few years, dedicated retail space in each society and tax rebates for industrial units are to be offered.
Despite the numerous benefits, a significant portion of the Dharavi community remains cautious about redevelopment, fearing that valuable land could be given away to private developers.; In reality, once constructuion is completed, the land will remain under government ownership, managed by DRP for redistribution and redistributed among the residents of Dharavi. Many even believe that the contract has been awarded to DRPPL (Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited). In reality, as the project executor, they won the bid to oversee construction, while the reallocation of the land will be managed by the Dharavi Redeveloped Project (DRP).
Residents are also worried about displacement during the reconstruction, fearing the loss of their daily livelihood and Dharavi's economic and cultural heritage due to the redevelopment. However, the truth is that there will be no displacement of residents until their new houses are ready, thanks to the Key-to-key model that will ensure a smooth transition. Moreover, industrial and entrepreneurial growth will likely increase due to the establishment of modern amenities and improved transportation. Additionally, the project will make sure that the elements of Dharavi’s rich cultural heritage are retained, transforming it into a modern cultural hub.
Ultimately, the Dharavi redevelopment project is about more than just housing—it’s about reshaping a community’s future. It offers residents a dignified, healthy lifestyle while preserving Dharavi’s cultural identity and economic contributions. For generations to come, this project stands to redefine Dharavi, transitioning it from a global symbol of struggle to one of resilience and opportunity, fostering a narrative where its people can thrive without the compromises of the past.
By embracing this vision, Dharavi will not only uplift its current residents but will also challenge stereotypes, proving that development and heritage can coexist. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project thus holds promise not only as an infrastructure transformation but as a cultural milestone, inviting the world to see Dharavi as a symbol of strength and hope for India’s future.
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