{"id":38584,"date":"2025-09-15T10:38:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homesbuildings.com\/?p=38584"},"modified":"2025-09-15T10:38:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:08:14","slug":"the-dharavi-renaissance-svr-srinivas-on-rebuilding-hope-and-homes-full-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/?p=38584","title":{"rendered":"THE DHARAVI RENAISSANCE : SVR SRINIVAS ON REBUILDING HOPE AND HOMES"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe class=\"fp-iframe\" style=\"border: 1px solid lightgray; width: 100%; height: 600px;\" src=\"https:\/\/heyzine.com\/flip-book\/e3e04a3875.html\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"92\" data-end=\"540\">Dharavi has always defied definition \u2014 a city within a city, where a million dreams jostle in two square kilometres, and where the hum of industry rises from lanes barely wide enough for two people to pass. It is Asia\u2019s largest slum, but also one of its most extraordinary engines of enterprise. Now, for the first time in its history, this labyrinth of lives and livelihoods is on the cusp of transformation \u2014 not by erasure, but by reinvention.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"542\" data-end=\"842\">At the helm was SVR SRINIVAS, a man known in bureaucratic and political circles for taking on the assignments others call impossible. As CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, he was orchestrating the world\u2019s largest peacetime urban renewal movement \u2014 a plan to rebuild not just homes, but hope.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"1047\">In this exclusive conversation with TITTO EAPEN, Srinivas reveals the vision, the hurdles, and the policy innovations that could turn Dharavi into a global model for inclusive, sustainable city-making.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38848\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img361.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"619\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img361.jpg 831w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img361-283x300.jpg 283w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img361-768x814.jpg 768w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img361-600x636.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"77\" data-end=\"529\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38850 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img368.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"351\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img368.jpg 530w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img368-300x238.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38849 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img366.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"347\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img366.jpg 480w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img366-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/>Q In both scale and ambition, how does Dharavi compare to your earlier assignments, and what makes it a \u201cmovement\u201d rather than just another infrastructure project? The Dharavi redevelopment has a planned timeline of seven years \u2014 ambitious by any standard. But let\u2019s be clear: Dharavi isn\u2019t just Asia\u2019s largest slum. It\u2019s the largest peacetime urban renewal project in the world. Globally, nothing of this density and scale has been attempted before.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"1064\">The numbers are staggering \u2014 around 250,000 people per square kilometre, compared to Mumbai\u2019s average density of 25,000 and India\u2019s average of 800. That\u2019s ten times denser than the city itself. This is why I often call it a \u201cmovement\u201d rather than a \u201cproject.\u201d The challenges aren\u2019t only financial or technical \u2014 they\u2019re deeply social. Dharavi is a living, breathing ecosystem, home to over 14,000 industries and commercial units, generating an estimated billion dollars in annual exports \u2014 almost entirely from the informal sector.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1619\">The absence of formal entitlements means residents rarely invest beyond the bare minimum needed for survival. Redevelopment changes that \u2014 it brings security, dignity, and long-term vision. The greatest challenge is ensuring that livelihoods are protected and enhanced alongside new housing and infrastructure. If we succeed \u2014 and I believe we will \u2014 Dharavi will stand shoulder to shoulder with Mumbai\u2019s most prominent central business districts. It will be a model of inclusive, sustainable urban regeneration, not just for India, but for the world.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1621\" data-end=\"2185\">Q What structural and policy measures are being taken to ensure these industries are not just preserved but also integrated into the formal economy and positioned for future growth? Dharavi\u2019s economy is built on five primary pillars: textiles, leather manufacturing and exports, pottery, recycling, and women-led home enterprises like papad-making and other self-employment activities. Add to this a dense network of retail activity, and you have an economic ecosystem unlike any other in the country \u2014 not just for livelihoods but for the city\u2019s sustainability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2187\" data-end=\"2615\">In our rehabilitation plan, we\u2019ve categorised these industries to ensure their unique needs are met. The transition period \u2014 during construction \u2014 is the most critical. For the first time, the government has taken a bold step by announcing a five-year reimbursement of state GST for all these industrial units. This move will cushion the financial impact during redevelopment and encourage integration into the formal economy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2617\" data-end=\"3210\">We are also mapping the operational needs of each sector \u2014 potters need brick kilns, leather workers require dedicated washing and dyeing spaces, and recyclers need large processing zones. Dharavi is home to India\u2019s largest recycling industry, and its continuity is vital. In parallel, we are working with the National Skill Development Corporation to upskill Dharavi\u2019s workforce, preparing them for a future where traditional industries will blend with new technologies. The goal is not merely to preserve these industries, but to help them evolve and prosper in the post-redevelopment era.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3212\" data-end=\"3445\">Q Dharavi\u2019s redevelopment has been attempted for over 25 years, without success. What makes this initiative different? The difference this time lies in policy innovation. For the first time, every eligible occupant \u2014 residential or<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"94\" data-end=\"509\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38852 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img374.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"202\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img374.jpg 280w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img374-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-38851 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img372.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"173\" height=\"317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img372.jpg 230w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img372-164x300.jpg 164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 173px) 100vw, 173px\" \/>Commercial \u2014 will get in-situ rehabilitation within Dharavi. This includes both residents and business owners, which is a major departure from past approaches. However, eligibility criteria remain \u2014 for example, residents of mezzanine or upper floors, or those who arrived after 2011 (even if they live on the ground floor), do not qualify. This excluded group accounts for more than half of Dharavi\u2019s population.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"511\" data-end=\"1035\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38853 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img376.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"411\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img376.jpg 480w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img376-300x209.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px\" \/>Instead of displacing them, the government has introduced a rental housing model within Mumbai. These units will be available for long-term occupancy and can eventually be purchased at a government-fixed price, with payments going directly to the government \u2014 bypassing private developers entirely. This is a game-changer. It ensures that even those previously left out can transition into formal homeownership over time. It\u2019s an inclusive, future-ready approach that balances urban planning discipline with social equity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1559\">Q Eligibility criteria have long been a flashpoint in slum redevelopment. With more than half of Dharavi\u2019s current residents potentially falling outside in-situ rehabilitation norms, how is the project balancing the need for policy discipline with the imperative of social inclusion? In any slum redevelopment, there are two groups \u2014 those who are eligible for in-situ rehabilitation, and those who are not. For eligible residents and businesses, the principle is clear: they will be rehabilitated within Dharavi itself.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"2015\">For the non-eligible \u2014 those without the necessary documentation or those who arrived after the cut-off date \u2014 rehabilitation will happen in locations identified by the government. Our commitment is to handle this process sensitively, ensuring that livelihoods and dignity are preserved. But the eligibility framework is non-negotiable \u2014 those outside it will not be accommodated within Dharavi, though they will be provided proper alternative housing.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2741\">Q Given Mumbai\u2019s chronic land scarcity, securing suitable parcels for non-eligible residents is a massive undertaking. Could you walk us through the land strategy? Land availability in Mumbai is always the starting challenge \u2014 and often the biggest one. But we\u2019ve made tangible progress. Two significant parcels are already in the pipeline. One is a 25\u201328 acre site near Kurla, where we\u2019ve taken full possession. The other is a much larger 150-acre tract in Aksa, near Borivali, which is in the process of acquisition. Both will be used to house those not eligible for in-situ relocation under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. While Aksa presents some access-related challenges, it remains a strategically valuable site.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2743\" data-end=\"2879\">Beyond these, we\u2019re tapping into a largely underutilised resource \u2014 Mumbai\u2019s salt pan lands. These are classified into developable and<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"104\" data-end=\"641\">Non-developable zones. The non-developable areas, such as mangrove belts and CRZ-1 zones, are ecologically sensitive and will be preserved as conservation spaces. The developable salt pans, mostly on the landward side, are now being earmarked for affordable housing. This hasn\u2019t been without its hurdles. Many of these lands were encroached upon or held under informal leases to private parties. We\u2019ve begun systematically extinguishing such leases and redirecting the parcels toward public housing, including Dharavi\u2019s rehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"643\" data-end=\"1025\">We\u2019ve already secured significant tracts of salt pan land for development. This includes the Arthur and Jenkins Salt Works in Kanjurmarg and Bhandup\u2014covering a combined 197 acres (120.5 acres from the Arthur parcel and 76.9 acres from Jenkins). Alongside this, the Jamasp Salt Works land in Mulund, part of a larger 256-acre holding, has also been earmarked for upcoming projects.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1649\">To operationalise these developments, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), has taken charge. In April 2025, NMDPL formally assumed possession of 42 acres out of the 58-acre Mulund parcel, marking a decisive step in bringing these large-scale projects to life. Importantly, these allocations are not \u201cfree transfers.\u201d The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) pays for each parcel, and the land ultimately reverts to government control via the DRP. This creates a governance and financing framework where public interest is safeguarded, and accountability is built into the process.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"2194\">Q You are also planning Deonar Dumping ground as another option, but they come with severe health and environmental risks. Could they be used for rehabilitation, and if so, how will you ensure they\u2019re safe for habitation? Let me be absolutely clear \u2014 no rehabilitation will be allowed on former dumping ground land unless it\u2019s proven to be 100% environmentally safe for human habitation. That means undergoing a full scientific closure of the landfill, securing all necessary environmental clearances, and ensuring comprehensive remediation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2566\">These sites have been used for waste disposal for over a century, making them inherently toxic. The first priority is to neutralise the hazard. Scientific closure involves capping the site, managing leachate, and capturing methane \u2014 one of the most potent greenhouse gases \u2014 to prevent environmental harm. Only after such remediation can we even consider construction.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2568\" data-end=\"3017\">We\u2019re also exploring waste-to-energy initiatives. The BMC already has advanced plans in this direction, which could help in both managing legacy waste and generating renewable energy. While dumping grounds remain a theoretical option, they are the last resort. We will only turn to them once all other land avenues are exhausted \u2014 and even then, only if rigorous environmental vetting confirms that the land is safe for people to live and work on.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3019\" data-end=\"3505\">Q Dharavi\u2019s recycling sector, powered by over a lakh ragpickers, plays an indispensable role in Mumbai\u2019s waste management and climate resilience. How will the redevelopment formalise and protect this workforce while modernising waste management practices? Dharavi \u2014 along with Govandi \u2014 is at the heart of Mumbai\u2019s recycling network. Around 70% of the city\u2019s waste is recycled, thanks to the work of ragpickers and recyclers, many of whom operate in unsafe and unregulated conditions.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3507\" data-end=\"3785\">Currently, much of this work is informal and environmentally unsound, with dumping grounds still used in violation of legal norms. Our aim is to shift to a formal, scientific waste management system \u2014 with engineered landfills, methane capture, and waste-to-energy facilities.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"4099\">As we formalise the sector, we are determined to bring these workers with us. That means granting them legal recognition, industry status, and access to health care, insurance, and financial services. It also means targeted livelihood programmes to ensure their skills remain relevant as the sector modernises.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4101\" data-end=\"4365\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38854 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img381.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img381.jpg 530w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img381-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/>These individuals are vital not just to Mumbai\u2019s waste economy, but to its environmental health. By integrating them into the formal system, we safeguard their economic role, improve their quality of life, and align with broader climate and social justice goals.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4367\" data-end=\"4675\">Q Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is central to the project\u2019s financing model, but it is also an area of market sensitivity and public concern. How is the framework structured to prevent monopolisation, ensure fair pricing, and maintain a competitive marketplace? TDR is a cornerstone of the project\u2019s<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38855 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img385.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"311\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img385.jpg 415w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img385-300x293.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38856 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"312\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387.jpg 405w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img387-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"340\">Funding architecture. It allows us to monetise unutilised development rights without placing a direct fiscal burden on the exchequer. That said, concerns about potential monopolisation are not true as we\u2019ve put in place a clear, regulated framework.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"342\" data-end=\"649\">For Dharavi, TDR can only be sold at a maximum of 90% of the government\u2019s ready reckoner rate. Moreover, developers are required to purchase only half of their TDR requirement from Dharavi; the remaining 50% can come from other sources. This ensures a competitive, open market rather than a closed system.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"982\">The fear that one developer could hoard Dharavi TDR doesn\u2019t align with the project\u2019s financial logic. If the SPV doesn\u2019t sell its TDR, it loses liquidity \u2014 and without liquidity, the project simply cannot progress. TDR, like any market instrument, is subject to demand and supply: greater availability drives prices down, not up.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1250\">The guiding principle here is fairness. Urban renewal cannot become urban exclusion. Our model is designed to keep the market competitive, the funding viable, and the benefits of redevelopment equitably distributed \u2014 especially to the most vulnerable stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1848\">Q Critics also argue that prioritising Dharavi\u2019s TDR could distort Mumbai\u2019s real estate market or lead to imbalance. Given the project\u2019s scale, how do you justify this prioritisation without overburdening the system? It\u2019s important to remember that Dharavi\u2019s redevelopment isn\u2019t simply about constructing buildings \u2014 it\u2019s about financing dignity, infrastructure, and long-overdue equity for over a million people. A public-private partnership of this magnitude requires tens of thousands of crores in funding. We need mechanisms that bring in liquidity early, without straining public finances.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"2542\">Dharavi faces height restrictions and planning constraints, meaning it can\u2019t consume all its entitled FSI on-site. The surplus FSI becomes TDR, which can be sold for use elsewhere in the city. Historically, slum TDR has been undervalued compared to other categories like road TDR or reservation TDR. But if we are serious about making Mumbai slum-free, slum TDR must be viable and prioritised \u2014 which is exactly what the government has done for Dharavi. Without an assured market or precedence for Dharavi TDR, we would struggle to raise early-stage funding for rehabilitation. Prioritising it is not a favour; it is a structural necessity for financial sustainability and timely execution.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2965\">Q Even so, is there a risk that this prioritisation could still distort the market or favour a single player? How do you ensure the system remains fair? There is no scope for monopoly here. First, prices are capped \u2014 no TDR from Dharavi can be sold above 90% of the ready reckoner rate. Second, developers are only mandated to source 50% of their TDR needs from Dharavi, leaving the other half open to the wider market.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"3296\">This creates a competitive environment. If Dharavi generates more TDR, prices will naturally adjust downwards due to supply pressure \u2014 there is no room for artificial inflation. The SPV has no incentive to withhold stock, because without selling TDR, it has no liquidity, and without liquidity, the project cannot move forward.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3298\" data-end=\"3609\">It\u2019s important to recognise that this is a liquidity-starved project in its initial years. There may be some profit decades later, but right now, the challenge is massive upfront investment. TDR is one of the few tools that is both market-aligned and debt-free, making it essential to the project\u2019s viability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"91\" data-end=\"830\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-38857 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img392.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"387\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img392.jpg 479w, https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img392-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/>You\u2019ve often described the Dharavi project as a mammoth redevelopment effort \u2014 one with no precedent in India. What does that mean in terms of execution? Will it be handled by a single developer, or will multiple stakeholders be involved? And what\u2019s the broader vision behind working at this scale? You\u2019re right \u2014 to my knowledge, nothing of this scale has been attempted anywhere in the country. That alone dictates that it cannot be the job of one man, two men, or even two companies. While the execution framework is anchored by a single Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the SPV will engage multiple contractors and expert agencies as needed. The mandate allows for that flexibility, and it\u2019s essential for a project of this complexity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"2429\">To understand the scale, you have to look at its three core dimensions. First is housing and commercial rehabilitation \u2014 constructing tenements not just for eligible residents but also for commercial and industrial occupants. Those who are ineligible for in-situ relocation will be provided with rental housing, so the building component is significant. Second is physical infrastructure. In many parts of Dharavi, lanes are barely two feet wide; most roads exist only on paper. There\u2019s virtually no functioning stormwater drainage or sewerage \u2014 everything flows into the Mithi River, adding to its pollution. We need to build real roads, proper drainage, sewerage systems, legal electricity connections, and bridges. The SPV will handle all internal infrastructure, while the government will take responsibility for external and offset infrastructure. Third \u2014 and to me, the most socially significant \u2014 is social infrastructure. We are not just redeveloping; we are building a new city. That means schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, playgrounds, post offices, police stations, sports facilities, and more. Dharavi also has 300\u2013400 religious structures \u2014 temples, mosques, churches, and others. These will need sensitive handling, with careful surveys and community consultation before relocation or rebuilding. For this, we have a special committee led by two former High Court judges, of which I am also a member. When you put all three together \u2014 housing, infrastructure, and social fabric \u2014 you realise this is not just redevelopment. It\u2019s the creation of a city within a city.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2431\" data-end=\"3328\">With such an immense scope, who exactly are the stakeholders? How do you balance public and private interests, and where does the community fit into this framework? The foremost stakeholder is the people of Dharavi \u2014 they are the soul of this project and must be brought on board first. Second is the government, which drives the vision and ensures public interest is safeguarded. Third is the private investor \u2014 the developer \u2014 who brings the financial muscle to make it viable. And finally, there are the contractors and builders who will execute the work on the ground. While the SPV is the single legal entity steering the project, it will rely on a network of partners, subcontractors, and specialised agencies. That flexibility is critical. We\u2019re managing a live, dynamic ecosystem, with multiple players aligned toward one central goal: transforming Dharavi without displacing its people.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"4113\">You\u2019ve spoken about the possibility of selling a portion of the project. Will this follow a build-and-sell model, or could we see land being marked and sold to private equity, as in some MMRDA-led ventures? Both models are on the table. One option is the MMRDA approach \u2014 demarcating land and auctioning it to private equity players. The other is to construct units and sell them. Both are feasible, but our priority right now is clear: rehabilitation first. We are already building on land purchased from the railways, with construction underway. The sequence is deliberate \u2014 secure land, start building, relocate and rehabilitate residents, and only then evaluate monetisation options like sales or equity. Commercial considerations will follow; human rehabilitation comes first.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4115\" data-end=\"4735\">You\u2019ve called this a vital step toward a slum-free Mumbai. How does this vision tie into broader urban policy? You cannot have a slum-free Mumbai while Dharavi \u2014 Asia\u2019s largest slum \u2014 still stands in the heart of the city. Addressing Dharavi is the government\u2019s most decisive move toward that larger goal. This is not just a project; it is a template for the future. If we can integrate Dharavi into the formal city fabric while safeguarding its economy and community, we can replicate the model across Mumbai\u2019s other informal settlements. It\u2019s urban policy at its most ambitious \u2014 and, I would argue, its most humane.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dharavi has always defied definition \u2014 a city within a city, where a million dreams jostle in two square kilometres,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4424,1,4458],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews","category-uncategorized","category-visionaries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}