The Dharavi redevelopment project, aimed at rehabilitating residents of Asia's largest slum, has achieved a significant milestone with the acquisition of 27.6 acres of land from the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA), out of the 45 acres required. This land will be utilized to construct modern housing and recreation facilities for railway employees, as well as rehabilitation apartments for eligible tenement holders in Dharavi.
Administered by the DRP, a state government nodal agency, the project spans across 600 acres of land, accommodating nearly 12 lakh residents. In a letter addressed to the deputy chief engineer of DRP on March 13, RLDA's deputy general manager, Sanjeev Jain, mentioned the revised layout plan for development, which had been approved by the railways with certain observations.
As per DRP the remaining land would soon be acquired. Architect Hafeez Contractor is tasked with designing the complex and Dharavi township.
The DRP has committed to completing the entire complex, spread over approximately one million square feet, within three years of receiving the commencement certificate. The complex will comprise four multi-storey apartment blocks, including 821 flats on 36 floors with modern amenities, a sport-cum-recreation complex, and a contemporary administrative building.
For the land acquisition, the DRP has paid Rs 1,000 crore to the railways, with an additional Rs 2,800 crore to be handed over after 17 years through minimum revenue sharing from the proceeds of Dharavi redevelopment. The 27.6 acres acquired includes 15 acres of encroached land with 5,000 tenements.
