The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has taken a major step forward, releasing its first eligibility list for the ambitious slum rehabilitation scheme, with over 75% of tenement holders in Sector 6 (Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar, Mahim) qualifying for new homes, the DRP announced Wednesday.

The list covers 505 households, with 229 confirmed eligible for modern flats under various criteria. Residents who settled in Dharavi before January 1, 2000, qualify for 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi, while those settling between 2000 and 2011 are eligible for 300 sq ft units outside Dharavi at a subsidized cost of Rs 2.5 lakh. Notably, 59 upper-floor tenement holders, typically excluded in other slum schemes, will receive 300 sq ft homes under a unique 12-year hire-purchase plan, allowing ownership after renting or an option to buy earlier at a government-set rate.

Of the 505 tenements, 31 are yet to submit documents, 137 await verification by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and 38 are amenity structures. The remaining 70 are finalizing additional paperwork to confirm eligibility. DRP CEO SVR Srinivas emphasized the project’s inclusivity, stating, “Every resident will get a house, either in or outside Dharavi, based on eligibility. This is the most inclusive slum rehabilitation project in history.”

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Commercial units also benefit significantly. Eligible units will receive free in-situ spaces, while a proposal is underway to offer rental spaces for ineligible units within Dharavi’s 10% reserved commercial area, ensuring livelihood continuity. All 170 ground-floor tenements (residential, commercial, or mixed) meet eligibility criteria, with 157 securing 350 sq ft homes in Dharavi and 13 qualifying for 300 sq ft homes outside.

Unlike other schemes, DRP ensures post-2011 ground-floor residents and all upper-floor dwellers receive modern homes within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, maintained free for 10 years. Residents can submit suggestions or objections to the Draft Annexure-II by July 5 at the DRP office, reinforcing the project’s commitment to transparency and community involvement.

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