The Question is... Can Dharavi Redevelopment Be a Win For ALL its Residents?
The Quint is on the ground, raising questions that concern voters across Maharashtra.
Dear Reader,
'Every single person wants Dharavi to be redeveloped' is the larger sentiment of the residents of Asia's largest slum cluster in Mumbai.
"No matter which government is in power, redevelopment has to happen. There are 7x8 feet houses where families live with two or three children. We cook, sleep, and do everything in this space. What is this life?" asked Yunus Sheikh, who was born in Dharavi in 1970, and has lived there since.
So, the question is... If the residents are on board with the Adani Group-backed redevelopment plan of the slum cluster, why is there opposition?
As Dharavi becomes a major poll plank of Opposition parties in the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, arguably one of its toughest given the five years of political turmoil, who does one believe? The news, the netas, or the PR?
We thought, why not the media in Dharavi?
With the help of three reporters who were born and raised in Dharavi — and now report from there — I explain to you why the fear of losing their homes, mostly due to lack of paperwork, is palpable among the residents.
The issue is not as complex, but redeveloping 300 acres of the slum cluster is no easy task either. The redevelopment project — as necessary as it is — will uproot lakhs of families, jeopardise scores of micro-businesses, and possibly trigger the loss of jobs for those who depend on Dharavi's economy.
So, the question is... can Dharavi be redeveloped by including each of its residents?
Watch my ground report from the slum cluster where I spent several days meeting with all the possible stakeholders to bring you the complete picture.
Nearly a decade ago, Yunus Sheikh and his family received 350 sq feet of accommodation under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority Project which was one of the many attempts at redeveloping Mumbai's slum. He told me about how access to basic facilities like clean water and electricity has drastically improved his life. With the redevelopment, lakhs of families who have waited for better homes and amenities are hopeful.
And the hopes of the people of Mumbai, and Maharashtra, are what we are bringing you through our election coverage from India's third largest state.
I've been travelling across the state to bring you similar stories that highlight the real concerns of the voters of the state. BECOME A MEMBER NOW and support my coverage. You will not only help us continue our journey across the state but also help our stories free and accessible to all.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for the next part of my coverage from Dharavi, along with other stories from Maharashtra.
Thank you,
ESHWAR
Associate Editor
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