Dharavi: Affidavits Sought Only To Verify Upper-Floor Residents

Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt. on Sunday rejected media reports that alleged that affidavits were being forcefully obtained from ground-floor residents of Dharavi to disqualify them from eligibility under the redevelopment project.

Clarifying the issue that sparked concerns and confusion among Dharavi residents, an NMDPL spokesperson said: "Affidavits are being collected strictly in accordance with the GR (government order) dated October 4, 2024. These are meant to establish the eligibility of upper-floor residents for rehabilitation outside Dharavi."

In a bid to fast-track the ongoing survey and with the government's firm commitment to providing homes for every Dharavikar, survey teams are proactively engaging with upper-floor tenement holders, considered among the luckiest beneficiaries under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, according to a press release.

Traditionally, upper floor tenements in slums are considered illegal and are excluded from the SRA projects. However, according to a government resolution dated Oct. 4, 2024, all upper-floor residential tenement holders in Dharavi residing there as of Nov. 15, 2022, are eligible for rehabilitation under a hire-purchase scheme.

Under this scheme, beneficiaries will receive 300 sq ft homes outside Dharavi but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region at a nominal cost, said NMDPL, which is a special purpose vehicle formed as a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group.

Recently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the assembly that these tenement holders have to pay this cost over 12 years. Ownership of the unit will be transferred after the payment period. Residents may also opt for a lump-sum payment at any point during the 12 years to obtain legal ownership. The rent and unit cost will be determined and collected by the government, it said.

As per the GR, upper-floor residents must furnish, at least, one of the following documents to prove their occupancy: electricity bill, registered sale or rent agreement, Aadhaar card, ration card, passport showing the floor number or an affidavit certified by the eligible ground-floor resident.

"This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in SRA history, aimed at ensuring every Dharavikar gets a home," the spokesperson added. "The affidavit is just one of the acceptable documents. However, most upper-floor occupants lack official records to prove their residence, making affidavits a practical alternative as specified in the GR."

According to DRP tender conditions, it is the special purpose vehicle's responsibility to rehabilitate all qualified ineligible tenement holders outside Dharavi, but within the MMR.

As per the latest survey data, nearly 1 lakh structures have been physically mapped. Of these, approximately 94,500 have been assigned unique identification numbers, around 88,000 have been digitally mapped through LiDAR, and household surveys have been completed for nearly 70,000 tenements.

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