The Big Count Starts in Dharavi - a Major Step Towards Dharavi Redevelopment

In Mumbai's famous Dharavi slum, a big job started on Monday at Kamla Raman Nagar: counting all the homes and people to see who gets a new, free house. The team from Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), led by their boss S VR Srinivas, has a big plan. They're giving every home a special number. After about a week, another group will come to learn more about each home and the people living in it. They hope to finish this big count in 6 to 8 months.

What Happens Next?

The plan is to give people who count as eligible a new home right there in Dharavi, on a big piece of land near the railway in Mahim. Those who don't fit the plan will be moved to new places farther away, from Wadala to Mulund, including some areas used for making salt.

A Little Confusion and ConcernRaju Korde, a lawyer and part of a group called Dharavi Bachao Andolan, pointed out a problem. He said Kamla Raman Nagar, where the counting started, is actually on railway land and isn't officially part of Dharavi. It's also not recognized as a slum that can get help. He noticed that homes there are being marked as 'S6', suggesting a new "Sector 6" that wasn't part of the original five sectors of Dharavi. He thinks the government should first make sure every home in Dharavi is counted for help before they start the survey.

Dharavi is Not Just a Slum, But a Vibrant Community

Dharavi isn't just a place with crowded homes; it's a bustling area full of life and business. It's known as one of the largest slums in Asia but is also a place where many small industries thrive. From pottery and textiles to leather goods, Dharavi's narrow lanes are filled with hardworking people creating and selling goods not just in Mumbai, but across the globe.

Dharavi sits right in the heart of Mumbai, making it a prime spot for redevelopment. Its location is very valuable, which is why the government and developers are interested in transforming it. But Dharavi is more than land; it's home to thousands of families with their own stories and dreams.

A Step Towards a Better Future

This survey and the plans for new housing are steps towards giving Dharavi's residents a better living situation. While the path ahead has challenges, including making sure everyone is fairly counted, the hope is to build a future where every resident of Dharavi has a safe, clean, and stable place to call home.