Mumbai, Maharashtra – In a landmark urban policy shift, the Maharashtra government has formally extended the scope of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to include residents of upper floors in informal tenements—people who were historically excluded from rehabilitation benefits. This decision marks a pivotal move toward housing equity in one of Asia’s largest informal settlements.
Through a Government Resolution (GR) issued on October 4, 2024, families residing on upper floors in Dharavi as of November 15, 2022, are now eligible for subsidised housing under the DRP. These families were previously ineligible due to Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) norms that classified upper floors as unauthorised structures.
The new policy allows qualified residents to acquire 300 sq ft flats located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) via a hire-purchase scheme. The flats will be offered at discounted rates, payable over a 12-year period in manageable instalments, with an upfront payment option also available.
Officials from the Dharavi Redevelopment Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) have hailed the move as a “historic correction” in Mumbai’s housing policy, offering a path to legal ownership for tens of thousands of families who have long lived in housing limbo.
Amid allegations of forced affidavits and documentation irregularities, authorities clarified that the verification process is being conducted according to government protocols. Acceptable documents include Aadhaar cards, electricity bills, ration cards, and registered tenancy agreements. Where such documents are unavailable, affidavits endorsed by recognised ground-floor residents may be used.
Urban policy analysts have described the inclusion of upper-floor dwellers as a “watershed moment,” reflecting a growing sensitivity to the complexities of informal housing in India’s cities. By embracing these communities rather than excluding them, the government is aiming to avoid the resistance and delays that have plagued earlier projects.
The DRP survey work is already well underway. Over 94,500 buildings have been assigned unique identification numbers, nearly one lakh structures have been physically surveyed, and around 88,000 buildings have undergone LiDAR-based digital mapping. Additionally, approximately 70,000 tenement-level household surveys have been completed to build a comprehensive, data-backed implementation framework.
Despite concerns over relocation—since the offered flats are located outside Dharavi—officials argue that the hire-purchase model provides both financial security and long-term stability. It transforms informal occupants into legal homeowners, providing not just shelter but dignity and a stake in the formal city.
As the DRP progresses, its success will rely not only on concrete and planning but also on community trust, inclusive decision-making, and sensitive handling of identity and urban belonging. If executed as promised, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project could set a benchmark for equitable slum rehabilitation models across India.
