Redevelopment of India’s Dharavi slum worries many residents, business owners

Summary

The redevelopment plans for Mumbai's Dharavi slum, one of Asia's largest, aim to modernize part of India's financial capital but stir up concerns among residents and business owners. The project, led by the Indian conglomerate Adani in partnership with the Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority, promises new apartments and the modernization of industries, but eligibility for these benefits only extends to those residing there before 2000. Many residents and political parties have raised fears of displacement and preferential treatment, while some see the redevelopment as a potential upliftment from poor living conditions.

Highlights

• Dharavi, home to industries and families, faces redevelopment. 🔄
• Adani leads a $619 million project approved by the Maharashtra government. 💰
• Digital mapping and surveys are assessing residents’ housing eligibility. 🗺️
• Protests arise against displacement and project favoritism claims. 🚫
• Benefits like tax refunds are promised for retaining industries. 🏭

Key Takeaways

• Dharavi slum redevelopment aims to modernize Mumbai. 🏢
• Concerns over displacement and livelihood impact linger. 😟
• The project promises new apartments for long-term residents. 🏠
• Only residents from before 2000 are eligible for free homes. 📅
• Political opposition accuses favoritism in the project process. ⚖️
• Despite challenges, some see improved living conditions coming. 🌟

Overview

Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums and a buzzing hub for industries such as pottery, textiles, and leather, is set for major redevelopment. The plans, led by Indian conglomerate Adani group, in collaboration with the Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority, are aimed at modernizing Mumbai and making the city slum-free. While the project promises to provide free apartments for residents living there since before 2000, many expressed concerns over potential displacement as not all will qualify.

Residents like Yogendra see potential benefits, desiring new homes to escape cramped and unhealthy living conditions. Yet, the reassurances have not quelled fears entirely as many face the prospect of being relocated, some even outside Dharavi. Political opposition, citing favoritism towards the developers, has fueled protesters’ concerns. Despite this, some inhabitants hope redevelopment could improve their quality of life.

Businesses operating within Dharavi, some for decades, also face uncertainty. The developers claim there will be provisions to retain these industries in the new setup, along with benefits like state tax refunds, which could help ease transition pains. The project, however, continues to stir debate over its execution and fairness as it attempts to transform a dense urban settlement into a modern locality.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Background The chapter discusses the redevelopment of one of Asia's largest slums, Mumbai's Dharavi. The project, led by an Indian conglomerate, aims to unlock land and modernize Mumbai, India's financial capital. However, it raises concerns among residents about the impact on their lives and livelihoods.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Impact on Local Industries This chapter focuses on the impact of urban development initiatives on local industries in Deravi, a neighborhood characterized by a hive of activities in pottery, textiles, and leather industries. It highlights the concerns of local industry operators like Deac Caray, a leather goods manufacturer, who fears displacement due to the collaboration between local authorities and urban redevelopment projects. It sheds light on the potential threats to the livelihoods of thousands of families and businesses thriving in Deravi.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Scale and Approval of Project The chapter discusses the longstanding idea of redeveloping an area called Davi, an undertaking that has faced delays due to its massive scale. Recently, in July, the Maharashtra state government approved a significant bid valued at 619 million US dollars to proceed with this redevelopment plan. The area intended for redevelopment spans approximately 635 acres, equivalent to 600 football fields.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Redevelopment Plan and Challenges The chapter discusses the ambitious redevelopment plan aimed at making Mumbai slum-free. Currently, 40% of Mumbai's population resides in slums. The plan, which is expected to take 7 years, aims to rehabilitate nearly 1 million people living in a targeted area. Success in this project is seen as a gateway to further slum development across Mumbai and attracting additional capital for continued redevelopment efforts.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Eligibility and Resident Concerns The chapter titled 'Eligibility and Resident Concerns' discusses the recent Redevelopment project in Deravi. This joint venture involves digital mapping and a door-to-door survey to determine eligibility for free housing. Residents are being offered free 350 square ft apartments, but only those residing in the area since before 2000 qualify for these homes.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Opposition and Controversy The chapter 'Opposition and Controversy' discusses the impact of redevelopment plans that will disqualify hundreds of thousands of residents from meeting certain criteria, resulting in their relocation to rental accommodations outside of Davi. This has caused unrest among residents, leading to protests. Opposition parties have criticized these decisions, accusing the state government of favoring certain entities. The situation was further complicated by accusations directed at the government, intensifying the controversy.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Support and Expectations The chapter "Support and Expectations" discusses a financial controversy involving a company identified as a 'short seller' last year, which accused a group of financial irregularities. There is a legal battle ongoing with a Dubai-based company about a bidding process, with Adani defending their claim to have won the contract fairly and the state government denying any wrongdoing. Adani and the government assert that the project will significantly improve residents' lives, a claim supported by some slum dwellers who live in substandard conditions without basic amenities such as running water or proper toilets.

Redevelopment of India’s Dharavi slum worries many residents, business owners Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 oh meantime work is underway to redevelop one of Asia's largest slums Mumbai stavi which is home to about a million residents the project will unlock much needed land and help modernize India's Financial Capital but many residents are concerned about the potential impact on their lives and livelihoods Rebecca bundon reports this bring slum is set for a facelift Indian conglomerate Dan is pushing ahead with plans to rebuild
• 00:30 - 01:00 deravi in partnership with Mumbai slum Rehabilitation Authority the area is not only home to thousands of families but also thriving Industries including Pottery textiles and leather deac Caray has manufactured and sold his leather goods in deravi for more than 40 years he's concerned about being displaced
• 01:00 - 01:30 the idea of redeveloping Davi has been talked about for decades but the sheer scale of the task held back progress the Maharashtra state government last July approved the Dan 619 million US dollar bid to redevelop deravi spread across 635 Acres that's about 600 football fields the
• 01:30 - 02:00 Redevelopment is expected to take 7 years it is part of a plan to make Mumbai slum free currently an estimated 40% of the City's population live in slums if this project takes off and successfully rehabilitates close to 1 million people who are there living in that particular pocket it builds a way to develop the remaining slums in Mumbai and also would bring in a lot more capital which can be committed to
• 02:00 - 02:30 Redevelopment of these slums in recent weeks the joint venture deravi Redevelopment project has been carrying out digital mapping of the area and it has started a door-to-door survey to assess who might be entitled to a free home with the Redevelopment residents are being promised free apartments that are 350 square ft in size but not everyone will be eligible for these homes only those who have been living in deravi since before 2000 will qualify it's estimated that there are
• 02:30 - 03:00 hundreds of thousands of residents who won't meet the criteria and there'll be offered rental accommodation instead some of which will be outside of Davi the changes worry many residents and they've staged protests against the Redevelopment opposition parties have also spoken out accusing the state government of giving preferential treatment to ad which came under scrutiny following ACC accusations by a
• 03:00 - 03:30 us short seller last year of financial irregularities within the group there is also an ongoing legal battle with du buy based company over the bidding process but adani says it won the contract fairly and the state government denies any wrongdoing and they say that the project will improve the lives of residents some of the slum dwellers agree many live in poorly constructed and cramped homes and they don't have access to running water or their own toilets
• 03:30 - 04:00 yogendra says that as long as he is given a new home in deravi he welcomes the Redevelopment his first wife died of tuberculosis which he blames on their living conditions rebuilding DAV Islam will result in the upheaval of many
• 04:00 - 04:30 people's lives but yogendra believes that ultimately it may be a change for the better as for the industries that have grown out of Davi the developers say there will be a place for many of them in the rebuilt area and that they'll be given benefits including a refund on the state goods and services tax Rebecca buns in CNA Mumbai