The ongoing Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing the previous survey benchmark with over 63,000 tenements already surveyed. This marks a major advancement in mapping and documenting one of Asia’s largest slums, well beyond the earlier 2007-08 survey, which had recorded approximately 60,000 ground-floor tenements. Under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) guidelines, typically only ground-floor tenants are eligible for free housing, but the current survey also includes upper-floor structures, reflecting the government's commitment to ensuring housing for all Dharavi residents.
As of now, lane reconnaissance has been completed for over 95,000 tenements, with more than 89,000 tenements numbered and door-to-door surveys completed for over 63,000 tenements. The survey is unique in that it covers ground-floor and upper-floor structures, existing SRA buildings, slum dwellers on RLDA Land, and all religious structures.
DRP CEO SVR Srinivas emphasized that this redevelopment scheme is inclusive, aiming to leave no one behind. The survey is entering its final phase, and authorities are urging residents who missed the survey to come forward, as those who have refused or failed to share documents will not be revisited.
Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), responsible for the redevelopment, plans to construct around 1.5 lakh tenements, as many hutments have expanded vertically, increasing the number of tenements needing rehabilitation. The spokesperson for NMDPL expressed satisfaction with the survey's progress, noting the tremendous response from Dharavi residents and their desire for a better, more dignified life.
Eligible residents will be rehabilitated within Dharavi itself, while ineligible residents will be relocated to new modern townships outside Dharavi, equipped with essential infrastructure and Metro connectivity. These new townships will be located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), ensuring access to all necessary social and public amenities.