The Bombay High Court is currently seeking a comprehensive response from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project authority to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition calling for the removal of Mahim Nature Park from the plan. This park is recognized as a protected forest under the Indian Forest Act of 1927. This news highlights the crucial role Dharavi plays in the city’s urban development initiatives and the project’s potential impact on its environment.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Explained
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project seeks to overhaul and improve conditions in Dharavi, a large slum cluster located in Mumbai. Even though the project was proposed in 2004, it faced numerous setbacks and didn’t take off until recently when it was won by the Adani Group.
The ambitious project aims to resettle approximately 68,000 people, including existing slum residents and owners of commercial establishments. The estimated construction cost for the rehabilitation initiative stands at about 23,000 crores. It includes the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), led by Adani who will hold 80% equity, with the state government controlling the remaining 20%.
The main features of the project include construction of free housing for eligible slum residents along with significant enhancements in infrastructure such as power and water supply, sewage disposal, and piped gas.
Understanding Dharavi
Dharavi, established in 1882 during British rule, holds the dubious distinction of being Asia’s largest slum cluster. Despite its status, Dharavi occupies prime real estate in the middle of Mumbai, covering 300 hectares.
The area became home to unplanned localities during Mumbai’s rapid urbanization in the 18th century. The settlement currently hosts around half a million residents, along with an estimated 56,000 families and numerous small businesses engaged in everything from pottery to leatherwork.
Despite its industrious population, living conditions in Dharavi remain substandard due to overcrowding and a lack of basic amenities.
Recent Urban Development Initiatives in India
Besides the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, the Indian government has launched several other initiatives aimed at urban development. These include:
The Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT),
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U),
Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0,
TULIP-The Urban Learning Internship Program, and
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India).
These initiatives represent significant moves toward improving the urban landscape, enhancing living conditions, and fostering economic growth in Indian cities.
A Look at Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
In the 2017 Civil Services Exam, a question was posed concerning the concept of local self-government. It asked students to explain whether local self-government is best seen as an exercise in federalism, democratic decentralisation, administrative delegation, or direct democracy. The correct answer was democratic decentralisation, emphasizing the relevance of power decentralisation and participatory democracy.
