A pathbreaking effort is being initiated by Maharashtra government in "total-township Development," incorporating a holistic approach for development and rehabilitation of Asia's biggest slum - Dharavi.
Known worldwide, Dharavi -- the 535-acre sprawling shanty of extreme conditions in central Mumbai -- garnered special attention of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh under his Mumbai Vision 2005-2025.
"We are attempting a unique effort in pioneering redevelopment of Dharavi into a total township involving a holistic approach," Principal Secretary, Maharashtra government, Swadheen S Kshatriya told PTI.
"The estimated Rs 9,000-crore project envisages an 'in-citu' rehabilitation of almost 60,000 families."
Dharavi sits in the heart of the world's third largest city and India's financial capital. It mushroomed over years, including migrant population who often landed in the city of dreams empty-handed, seeking a livelihood.
Variously described, it has been a cause of crime, pollution, filth and environmental degradation mainly due to congestion, bad constructions, unauthorised trades and overpopulation.
"The government is now keen on re-graphing and developing the area into a dignified township," Kshatriya said.
The Maharashtra government felt the need for cleaning, decongesting and rehabilitating the slum three years ago and the venture was christened "Dharavi Redevelopment Project" a year later. Finally, a go-ahead has been given with tenders to be floated in about a month.
Image : In this picture taken 31 January 2006, a labourer works on a construction at Kumbharwada next to Dharavi.
Text: PTI
Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/ AFP/ Getty Images
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