MUMBAI: The population of Dharavi will be 4.9 lakh after the implementation of the redevelopment plan, according to a presentation made to the CM this week. Given that current population estimates of the slum sprawl vary widely from 7 lakh to a million, the area is expected to see significant decongestion within a decade.

Providing a break-up to CM Fadnavis Wednesday, it was informed that the Rehab-Renewal population (slum dwellers and those living in authorised buildings) in Dharavi will be approximately 3 lakh after redevelopment. Around 1 lakh new residents are expected to move into sale buildings, while developed properties excluded from the revamp plan will add up to roughly 65,000-70,000. In addition, the planners expect a natural population growth of roughly 16,000 over the next seven years while the project is being implemented.

The presentation was made by S V R Srinivas, CEO, Dharavi Redevelopment Project and chairman of Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd, the special purpose vehicle executing the project.Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, who was earlier MLA from Dharavi, said, “No elected representative was invited for the presentation. No resident either. Only Adani representatives were present. The survey is not complete, the annexure II which informs about eligibility is not ready, how did this meeting happen? People do not know where they will get homes. For whom is this project being implemented?”

Describing the redevelopment of Mumbai’s biggest slum sprawl as a project for gentrification, the latest govt presentation on the plan envisages a “green spine” for the 2.5sqkm precinct along with a central park, waterfront and museum. A multi-modal transit hub and mixed-use neighbourhoods supporting traditional livelihoods of artisans and homes in highrises are also part of the blueprint.Five new entry points have been proposed linking Dharavi to Bandra-Kurla Complex, Sion and Mahim. Total rehab cost is estimated at Rs 95,790 crore, which involves construction of 49,832 residential rehab units and 8,700 residential renewal units, besides 12,458 commercial and industrial rehab units and 1,010 commercial renewal units. The sale component will be spread over 120 acres.The presentation was made by S V R Srinivas, CEO, Dharavi Redevelopment Project and chairman of Navbharat Mega Developers, the special purpose vehicle executing the project, in the presence of the chief minister.The plan marks a huge transformation for the Dharavi cluster which has existed for over a century. The history of the growth of slums here, as recorded in the city’s Development Plan, says Dharavi was the home of the Koli fishers and the Mahim creek was their source of livelihood for centuries. Dharavi’s rapid growth is interwoven with the patterns of migration into Bombay. The first to settle there did so because the land, mainly used as a rubbish dump, was free and unregulated. The marshy land slowly grew more solid but even till the mid-1900s, parts were so wet, people had to build foot-bridges to cross over. Potters from Saurashtra were among the first to be relocated here and set up their colony (Kumbharwada), as also Muslim leather tanners from TN (because of the proximity of the abattoir in Bandra). Artisans and embroidery workers from UP started the readymade garments trade, and Tamilians set up a flourishing business, making savories and sweets.The existing population now mostly comprises dwellers with basic structures that have mushroomed in low lying creek land in an unplanned manner leading to problems such as poor accessibility. Most houses are serviced by narrow by-lanes of 2 to 3 feet width, while non-development of roads has hampered the work of providing sewer lines, states the report.However, political representatives from the area say the revamp is a non-consultative process, controlled by the authorities in a manner that only strengthens business interests. Dharavi MLA Jyoti Gaikwad said the plan is “for Adani not for Dharavi’s people”; else it would have been shared with the people before being finalised. Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, said, “who was the Mumbaikar present at the meeting where the plan was approved. If 50% of residents are being moved out then those who will be rehabilitated should get 500 sq feet homes.”