On Monday, the Adani group announced its intention to provide eligible residents of the Dharavi slum clusters with new flats, measuring an area of 350 square feet. This initiative is part of the collaborative effort between the Adani group and the Maharashtra government to redevelop Dharavi slums. The group asserted that the size of these new flats exceeds the standard offerings in slum redevelopment projects by "17 percent."
According to the Adani group's statement, these newly offered flats will include a kitchen and toilet, representing a substantial improvement over the previous housing arrangements for dwellers in informal settlements, who were previously allocated houses measuring 269 square feet. The state government had initiated a transition in 2018, upgrading the living spaces to dimensions ranging from 315 to 322 square feet.
In addition to the enhanced residential spaces, the redeveloped area will encompass community halls, recreational areas, public gardens, dispensaries, and daycare centers for children. The implementation of this redevelopment project follows a cut-off date of January 1, 2000, to determine the eligibility of residents for these upgraded accommodations.
For those deemed "ineligible residents," alternative accommodation will be provided in alignment with the state government's affordable rental housing policy norms. It is essential to note that the Dharavi Redevelopment Project operates as a special purpose vehicle, established through a joint venture between the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government. Having secured the contract in November 2022, the company is undertaking the ambitious task of rebuilding the largest slum clusters in Asia, as part of its commitment to the Dharavi community.
