Dharavi Redevelopment: Over 25,000 Tenements Surveyed So Far

Over 25,000 tenements in Dharavi have been surveyed as of mid-November, as per Dharavi Redevelopment Project. More than 60,000 tenements have been numbered since the survey began in March this year, despite the hectic schedule of two elections and a prolonged monsoon season, a from the project statement read.

Surveying the residents of Dharavi is essential for successful execution of the redevelopment project. Without an accurate survey, it would be impossible to determine eligibility for new homes or proceed with other phases of the project.

According to officials from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project and Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP-SRA), the survey procedure involves several stages, starting with land reconnaissance and tenement numbering, followed by the use of advanced Lidar mapping technology to create an accurate base map of the area. Once the base map is validated, teams proceed with door-to-door verification, assigning unique identification codes to each tenement.

“Over 50 dedicated teams work daily across Dharavi’s five sectors and 34 zones,” explained a senior official involved in the project. “On an average day, 300 to 400 tenements are numbered, and 200 to 250 homes are verified. Despite major challenges like two elections and a prolonged monsoon, surveys of more than 25,000 tenements have been completed, and over 60,000 tenements have been numbered since mid-March this year.”

Still a significant portion of the tenements needs to be surveyed before the state government can finalise decisions about who qualifies for new homes under the Dharavi redevelopment plan.

To meet the growing demand, additional teams are expected to be deployed soon to expedite what is Asia’s largest slum survey initiative. The vision for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project includes providing modern homes equipped with private kitchens, toilets, and uninterrupted access to essential services like water and electricity. Additionally, residents will benefit from improved infrastructure, wider roads, better healthcare facilities, and open spaces.

Key Features of Dharavi Redevelopment Project

1. Inclusive Housing Scheme: Under the 2022 tender, every resident will receive a house, regardless of eligibility. Ground-floor structures built before Jan. 1, 2000, will qualify for free rehabilitation within the Dharavi Notified Area. Buildings constructed between Jan. 1, 2000, and Jan. 1, 2011, will receive homes outside the Dharavi Notified Area at a nominal cost of Rs 2.5 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Residents of upper floors and those who moved to Dharavi after Jan. 1, 2011, will be offered rented accommodation with the option of hire-purchase outside the Dharavi Notified Area.

2. Modern Amenities: All rehabilitated residents, whether inside or outside the Dharavi Notified Area, will enjoy modern amenities, including private kitchens, toilets, and reliable utilities. They will also benefit from enhanced social infrastructure such as schools, healthcare centers, and public transport.

3. Long-Term Benefits: Residents will enjoy a 10-year free operation and maintenance period for rehabilitation buildings. Additionally, the society can lease out 10% of the commercial areas, helping to sustain the O&M costs for the long term.

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