Eviction fears, relocation and less space to showcase their wares cast a shadow on residents.
With barely six months to go before the redevelopment begins, many residents of Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, refuse to believe that it will actually take place.
A supplier of cartons, Gokul, is completely unaware of the contours of the redevelopment. “I have only heard rumours about this plan. I don’t think that it is true,” he says. But his worried tone gives him away.
He is among the many, who run small-time businesses in the by lanes of Dharavi and are wondering if the redevelopment project will deprive them of a livelihood.
Fahim, a glassworks dealer, says, “Some surveys were conducted. I do not know what the project is. Where will I go, if my shop is demolished?”But he is luckier than Gokul and Rani, papad-makers, who have been residents of Dharavi for fewer years.
Under the project, the state has proposed to give 300 square feet houses to people residing in Dharavi since December 31, 1999.
The starting point of the redevelopment, Dharavi Sector 5, is home to an array of small businesses, ranging from leather goods manufacturing, sweetmeat industry, plywood industry, glassworks, idol industry and leather embossing.
Some of the businesses possess commercial licenses. But many others do not. With the redevelopment expected to retain only the legal businesses in the area, many of these businesses may have to shut shop.
According to a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) official, “Only people who have proper licenses will be allowed to continue with their businesses. It is going to be like a twin-city. The first two floors will be for commercial purposes or small businesses while the rest would be for residential purpose.”
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, initiated by the Maharashtra State Government in 2004, is finally taking off. The redevelopment process, which is being planned sector-wise, will start with Dharavi Sector 5 by Mhada.
The area consists of the areas of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Naik Nagar, Kamraj Nagar, Kala Killa, Ashok Mill Compound, Khamdev Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Prem Nagar and Parshi Chawl. It is located between Mahim creek and Sion station.
Residents are aware of the positive coming out of the redevelopment because of change it will bring to their quality of life due to concrete housing, purified water and better sanitation. According to a dealer in leather products, “We do not know the location we would get after the redevelopment project. I have heard from some officials that a leather complex would be constructed for the manufacture and distribution of all kinds of leather products. This will benefit all of us.”
But they are equally worried about their livelihoods, with the main worry being whether they would be given a good locality and adequate space to continue with their businesses – a point that Raju Korde of Dharavi Bachao Andolan highlights – “Though the small businesses have been promised adequate spaces after redevelopment, the people are anxious. They fear that they will be shifted to an unfavourable location.” Korde also added that the people have been told that they would get a location nearby, but not necessarily the same location.
No wonder, associations are up in arms. Says Jockin Arputham, President, National Slum Dwellers Federation, “We have been fighting for the issue for a long time. Any development in this region should take into account the small businesses that have been thriving in this region. The redevelopment should aim to enhance and improve the potential of the business ventures.”
Sachin Ahir, Maharashtra minister of state for housing tries to allay fears. He justifies the government’s move to cancel the earlier bidding process carried for Dharavi redevelopment with, “In a serious bid to bring in transparency and sanity in the entire redevelopment, the government has taken a decision to initially redevelop Dharavi Sector 5. It is spread across 19 hectares and involves rehabilitation of over 9,000 families. The rehabilitation of existing families would be done on the vacant land under Mhada’s possession by using 4 FSI. Subsequently, Mhada would construct houses for low, medium and higher income categories on the land vacated after the rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers.”
