The opposition parties in Maharashtra criticized the Eknath Shinde-led government for favouring the Adani Group in Dharavi Redevelopment project. Dharavi is Asia’s biggest slums cluster. Adani Group secured a massive hectare of land for the Dharavi Redevelopment project which sparked concern from the opposition. Now, the redevelopment of slums is nothing wrong, but it might affect a lot of its crucial areas like residents, culture, business, etc.
About the Project:
The project is about upgrading the housing, infrastructure, and sanitation, creating economic business opportunities. However, the project is currently facing various legal and logical issues.
This year, the Adani Group took 259 hectares of land by successfully bidding for the redevelopment project with the potential amount of Rs 20,000 crore. However, the project’s plans and timelines are yet to be finalized.
Redevelopment Might Threaten Dharavi’s Soul:
Being Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi is resiled with historical anecdotes, a vibrant community, diverse culture and so much more, which makes this place so much more than being a slum.
Now, the concern over its redevelopment is, that it might replace the actual identity of Dharavi. It might risk the communities, the small businesses of the people will get crushed, people will become homeless, and loss of culture and tradition.
The Environment and Social Development will be affected:
The upgradation of Dharavi will highly impact the jungles of Dharavi, the pollution will increase, livelihoods will get lost, and this will jeopardize the greenery of the slum that has been kept safely for ages.
Now, as the govt fails to stand out on its commitments, it’s socially impacting, like the families living in Dharavi will be relocated, and women, children and old-aged people will also be affected.
People’s Plan for Dharavi:
The people of Dharavi want people-driven development and solutions to fulfil the facilities and needs of the residents. Preserving the essence to hold the values, and spirit of Dharavi even after it gets developed.
Most importantly, more investment for people, not just for infrastructure, i.e., focusing on education, healthcare, and other development projects that could shape the Dharavi community to empower.
Looking Forward:
Dharavi is a vibrant drapery of resilience and fertility that is standing on the edge of getting destroyed. The proposed development project might benefit and transform the whole look of Dharavi.
But it cannot uphold its identity as it is now and before. So, all these things should be remarked on and developed without hampering its community, livelihoods, and identity.
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