Dharavi Project: No Land Ownership For Developer, Says Eknath Shinde

The Maharashtra government has clarified that all land allocated for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will remain under state ownership, with the developer receiving only development rights limited to the rehabilitation component.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the Legislative Council that the developer will not own any land under the project.

Shinde, while responding to questions raised by members of his Shiv Sena group, stated, "No land is being given to the developer. All the lands have been transferred to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority. The lands of the Salt Pan will be handed over to the state government. The price of such land has to be paid by the developer."

On concerns about the tender process, he asserted that it was conducted transparently, adding that the Bombay High Court had dismissed all claims from the previous highest bidder.

The government has also finalised policies regarding the rehabilitation of ineligible slum dwellers. As per Shinde, "All eligible slum dwellers will be rehabilitated in Dharavi. Ineligible slum dwellers will be rehabilitated outside Dharavi as per the government decision dated 28th September 2022 and under the affordable rental housing policy as per the government decision dated 04th October 2024."

To facilitate this, 58.5 acres of central government land at Jamasp Salt Pan in Mulund have been transferred to the state. The process of measuring the land is ongoing. Meanwhile, the survey of Dharavi's tenements is in progress, with over 83,000 tenements numbered so far—48% of which are on upper floors.

Shinde noted that the survey for ineligible tenements is not a prerequisite for the project tender. "Completion of the survey for the rehabilitation of ineligible tenements is not a tender condition, but the project will be undertaken in phases," he said.

The master plan and business plan for the project are in their final stages. The first commencement certificate for the construction of railway quarters was issued in January 2025. The developer is required to complete the rehabilitation, affordable housing, amenities, and infrastructure within seven years.

Under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034, the developer will receive development rights strictly for the rehabilitation component of the project.