Mumbai: Opposition wants Dharavi project awarded to Adani scrapped

The opposition party staged an agitation against the Dharavi Redevelopment project on Thursday, with participants expressing concerns that the project would result in the displacement of Dharavi residents. A delegation of Opposition party members submitted a memorandum to the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority.

"The project has been imposed on us, and it will lead to the eviction of a significant number of Dharavi residents. Some of those who remain will receive houses in the corner," alleged former Shiv Sena UBT MLA Baburao Mane, suggesting the project was designed for a private company's benefit. Siddharth Kasare of the RPI Athawale group noted, "This project is being implemented for the redevelopment of Dharavi, but the role of the residents of Dharavi is not being taken into account."

Parties have threatened for larger agitation if demands not heard. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

CPI leader Praksha Reddy added, "This project does not benefit either the government or the residents of Dharavi. It will harm the residents and cottage industries. Mumbai needs housing stock for affordable housing, but this project primarily benefits a private company."

Addressing the rally, Shiv Sena UBT MP Vinayak Raut highlighted the disparities in rehabilitation, stating that while residents were rehabilitated until 2011 in other projects, the Dharavi Rehabilitation Project would resettle residents until 2000. He expressed concerns about the displacement of a large number of natives and businesses due to oppressive conditions.

Baburao Mane, MLA, Shiv Sena

Members from Shivsena UBT, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Aam Aadmi Party, CPI, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha, SP, and Jantadal Secular Party participated in the agitation. A delegation of all party members handed their written memorandum to S.V.R. Shrinivas, chief executive officer of Dharavi Redevelopment Authority. Sammya Korde, a member of Shetkari Kamgar Paksha, said, "Our demand is to scrap the current process and discuss it with the state government. If we don't see any results, we will hold a large agitation again." Meanwhile, CEO S.V.R. Shrinivas did not respond to calls for comment.

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Demands include

>> Providing slum dwellers in Dharavi with housing through various development projects.
>> Stopping the eviction policy.
>> Ensuring the rehabilitation of displaced slum dwellers within Dharavi.
>> Conducting a fresh survey of all slum dwellers in Dharavi, with the last survey date as the qualifying date.
>> Providing free 500 square feet houses to all resident slum dwellers and 750 square feet to residents of Municipal Property Department's premises and buildings.
>> Offering free non-residential rehabilitation plots for stockholders, warehouse owners, and others.
>> Make a provision of Rs 25 lakhs.
>> Publishing an easy-to-understand ‘Master Plan' for the project.
>> Allocating funds for future maintenance expenses of Dharavi's slum dwellers.
>> Providing 80% reservation for unemployed youth of Dharavi in jobs in newly established commercial, industrial, and academic institutes in Dharavi.