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A red stencil above the stairs in Mumbai’s Dharavi slum signals an eviction notice for residents like Bipinkumar Padaya. The 58-year-old government worker laments, “I was born here, my dad was born here, and my grandfather too. But now, we have no choice—we must leave.” Soon, bulldozers are anticipated to move into Asia’s largest slum, demolishing the maze of dirty alleyways to make way for a new neighborhood.
This redevelopment initiative, spearheaded by Mumbai authorities and billionaire Gautam Adani, embodies elements of modern India—overly ambitious, expansive, and often ruthless. If the plan proceeds, countless Dharavi residents and workers — numbering around a million — will be displaced. “They told us they’d provide us with new homes and improve the area,” Padaya explained.
However, he’s skeptical, accusing authorities of pushing residents aside to develop their own planned spaces. His modest home, nestled among narrow alleyways, is barely touched by sunlight. His ancestors relocated there in the 19th century from Gujarat to escape hunger and flooding, and over time, waves of migrants expanded the district, which was ultimately incorporated into Mumbai, now bustling with 22 million inhabitants.
Today, Dharavi sprawls over 240 hectares atop a high-density region with nearly 350,000 people per square kilometer. Its tightly packed homes, workshops, and tiny factories are wedged between two railway lines and a polluted river. Over decades, Dharavi has functioned both as the powerhouse and the underbelly of Mumbai’s economy.
Local industries—pottery, leather tanning, recycling—employ countless residents and generate approximately $1 billion annually. The district gained worldwide fame through Danny Boyle’s 2008 Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” which residents see as a superficial caricature. While they acknowledge the unsanitary conditions, they emphasize that Dharavi is vibrant and alive.
“We live in a slum, but we are happy here. We do not want to leave,” said Padaya.
A short walk from his home reveals ongoing construction, with cranes towering above makeshift shelters. In his well-appointed office, SVR Srinivas, head of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), assures that the effort will serve as a model urban renewal effort. “This is the world’s largest urban renewal project,” he claims, describing it as “a city within a city,” not merely a slum overhaul. Brochures showcase new buildings, paved roads, green spaces, and shopping malls.
“Each family will receive a house,” Srinivas promises. “Our goal is to resettle as many residents as possible right here inside Dharavi.” Business activities are intended to continue, but under strict guidelines. Those who lived in Dharavi before 2000 will automatically qualify for free housing; residents arriving between 2000 and 2011 may buy homes at discounted rates, while newer arrivals will need to rent elsewhere.
Nonetheless, there’s a catch: only ground-floor owners qualify. Half of Dharavi’s residents occupy or operate businesses from illegally constructed upper floors. Manda Sunil Bhave meets all criteria and looks forward to moving out of her tiny, two-room flat, which has no space even to unfold a bed. “My home is too small; it’s embarrassing when guests come,” she said, dressed impeccably in a blue sari. “I’ve dreamed for years of having a proper house with a toilet in Dharavi.” Many neighbors, however, will be forced to leave.
Ullesh Gajakosh, leading the “Save Dharavi” campaign, advocates for a “house for a house” and “shop for a shop” policy. “We want to escape the slums, but we won’t allow them to push us out under the guise of development. This land belongs to us,” he asserts. Gajakosh relies on local businesses, including 78-year-old leatherworker Wahaj Khan, who states, “We employ 30 to 40 people. We’re ready for development, but if they don’t give us space in Dharavi, our business ends.”
Similarly, Abbas Zakaria Galwani, 46, and a group of around 4,000 potters, refused to participate in property surveys, fearing loss. “If Adani doesn’t allocate enough space or moves us elsewhere, we will be ruined.”
Adani, the billionaire behind the project, becomes the central figure in criticism. His wealth has surged since Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, and his conglomerate secured the Dharavi contract with a promise to invest about $5 billion. Holding an 80% stake, Adani estimates total costs at between $7 and $8 billion, with a goal to finish within seven years. He publicly commits to creating a “Dharavi of dignity, safety, and inclusiveness,” but skeptics suspect his true motive is lucrative real estate—Dharavi sits on prime land next to Mumbai’s financial district, surrounded by luxury hotels and high-tech companies.
Activists like Shweta Damle from the Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association argue that the project benefits a select few more than the residents’ welfare. “This isn’t about improving lives; it’s about profiteering. At best, three-quarters will be forced to leave, and the entire ecosystem will vanish, turning Dharavi into a disaster.”
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