Dharavi Redevelopment Project Beneficiaries To Pay Nil Maintenance Charges For First 10 Years

The beneficiaries of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will not be required to pay maintenance charges for the first 10 years, according to a release issued on Tuesday.

Under the project, the Maharashtra government has decided to provide free housing to eligible residents of Dharavi. Additionally, the state government will offer affordable housing to ineligible residents under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or through a hire-purchase scheme.

"...to ensure a smooth transition, residents won’t have to pay electromechanical maintenance charges for the first 10 years. During this period, the developer will take full responsibility for the upkeep of the societies," the release stated.

Additionally, the state government has planned to allocate 10% of the built-up area of rehabilitation component for commercial spaces, creating a revenue-generating model, it added.

Notably, it is common for cooperative societies in India to charge a specific service charge to the owners and members for maintaining the societies. The same is followed even in the buildings of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, which is a government agency.

For Dharavi project residents, however, maintenance can almost become free for life, according to the release. "The first 10 years come with free maintenance, and the revenue from monetising 10% of the commercial space can cover their maintenance costs in the long term," it stated.

In addition to this, statutory corpus fund per tenement will be deposited by the developer to the competent authority, the release added.

“This innovative approach ensures that Dharavikars not only enjoy better homes but also a worry-free lifestyle in planned, sustainable communities," an official of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project-Slum Rehabilitation Authority said.

The official added that due to the redevelopment project, Dharavi residents will benefit from 24/7 water and electricity, private toilets, and kitchens — marking a significant upgrade from their current conditions. Those who settled before the year 2000 will receive 350 square feet homes, which are 17% larger than those offered in other slum rehabilitation projects.

“The project is designed to uplift entire neighbourhoods, not just Dharavi. Residents who don’t qualify for homes within Dharavi will be resettled in additional land parcels across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region," the DRP-SRA official pointed out.

These new townships will introduce schools, hospitals, shopping centres, and other essential amenities, which will also enhance the quality of life in surrounding areas, the official further said.

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