Developmental projects that intended by the government in Dharavi needs to be inclusive in nature instead of that a large chunk of people are calling the Dharavi redevelopment project as ‘Vinash model’ (Destruction model) which raises many question on this project. There are many mismatch in the reports of government and RTI and other organisation e.g. in one report government stated that Dharavi has 72000 homes but in an RTI the same government has replied that Dharavi has 95000 homes ? An NGO submitted a report stating that Dharavi has 1.15 Laks of homes. Isn’t it enough to show the governments intention and seriousness on this project ? Same government giving two different estimation of homes ? Leaves a trace of scruple.
This masterplan is being called as the ‘Vinash Model’ and why is it so ? the residents of Dharavi is being told to leave the house in just three months with no future guarantees, what will happen with them ? when they are going to get their homes back there is no such promises and assurance. Any sensible person would definitely be worried about that ? ask yourself this question if you will be told to leave your house with such conditions what will you do ? There are many small businesses & factories and a considerable amount of population is dependable on this informal economy, what governemnt thought about that ? And why is there no clarity on what happens to public infrastructure roads, open grounds, temples, mosques, hospitals, schools, and colleges? Are these vital services simply being sidelined for commercial gain?
Locals are also demanding 500 sq ft homes instead of the 350 sq ft currently promised. Is it fair to give a family living in a 600 sq ft chawl just 350 sq ft in return? What justice is there in asking shopkeepers and godown owners to settle for less than what they’ve had for generations?
Why hasn’t the plan included everyone? Residents from Meghwadi say they were lied to during the survey process. They were told they would be eligible and housed in the new buildings being constructed on RPF ground. But now they claim those buildings are for Adani’s private sale, and 75% of them have been marked ineligible without proper explanation. Is this transparency? Is this redevelopment, or is this displacement?
On July 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM, a protest meeting was held on Sion Station Road, right outside the Shiv Sena shakha. The gathering, organized under the banner of the Dharavi Bachao Andolan, stood in firm opposition to the master plan proposed by Adani’s company NMDPL. But as slogans like “Adani Hatao, Dharavi Bachao” echoed through the air, many pressing and uncomfortable questions arose questions that those affected are demanding answers to.
Unless the authorities address these genuine questions and redesign the plan in consultation with Dharavi’s own people, the tension on the ground will only deepen. The people are not against development—they are asking: “Development, yes but at whose cost?”
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