Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Lessee Families On Private Lands Fear Losing Out As Landowner Pressure Blocks Survey

Mumbai: Thousands of Dharavikars living on private lands are caught between the devil and the deep seas. Despite their willingness to participate in the eligibility survey, many are forced to stay away due to intimidation by their landowners.

13,000 tenements on private land still await survey completion

There are around 13,000 tenements on private land in Dharavi where survey is yet to be completed due to non-cooperation from landowners. These tenements are spread across 102 acres within the 620-acre Dharavi Notified Area (DNA).

Residents willing to participate but face intimidation

Deepak Maurya, whose family has been running a grocery store since 1984 in Kalyanwadi near T Junction, shares his frustration. “We have lived in Dharavi for 40 years and our family deserves a better home and shop. We are keen to take the survey, but our landlord won’t let us.”

Deepak, who is also preparing for his UPSC exams, believes a government notification for land acquisition for all private properties inside DNA could end this issue once and for all.

Landowners oppose due to dissatisfaction with compensation rate

One of the key reasons many private landowners are obstructing the survey process is their concern over being shortchanged by the government’s compensation policy, which offers only 25% of the ready reckoner rate.

Commenting on the issue, a DRP official said, “Just like residents living on BMC or government lands, those on private lands are also eligible for housing under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project provided they participate in the survey. The compensation for private landowners will be adjusted as per the existing government policy.”

But despite their willingness, many residents say their hopes are being crushed by the intimidation from landowners. “We fear for our families,” said one resident anonymously. “Some landowners are backed by local mafia or have political connections. We dare not go against them.”

Jafar Kariyaniya, a small-time electrician from Agaswadi near Dharavi Cross Road, shared his story: “I was born and raised in Dharavi. Back then, we lived in mud houses, and in the rain, our legs would sink. We have spent countless sleepless nights. Now, when things are finally about to change, our dreams are being shattered by greedy landowners. My hutment has been numbered, but the survey hasn’t progressed beyond that.”

“Our landlord is using every pressure tactic possible to block the survey,” he added with frustration.

Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Residents Receive Symbolic Plastic Key As Helpline Reminder For Missed Survey

Similar sentiments were echoed by other residents in Abu Bakar Chawl, which is in existence since 1970. “There are landlords who are preventing teams from entering the locality for door-to-door survey,” another resident said.

Over 1 lakh tenements already numbered in Dharavi

The Dharavi eligibility survey which is in its final stages has completed numbering more than one lakh tenements and more than 86,000 tenements have already completed the household survey.