Maharashtra Facing Opposition Against ‘Redevelopment’ Plan in Dharavi

The Maharashtra government, led by the BJP, has approved the redevelopment of Dharavi, the largest and iconic slum in Mumbai. Local residents have protested the project, saying it was finalized without their consultation. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad demands the project be halted, alleging it violates mandatory provisions under the MRTP Act and used outdated approval documents. Despite this opposition, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defends the plan, claiming it will preserve Dharavi’s soul while modernizing its infrastructure. The state cabinet approved amendments to land transfer, tax waivers, and regulatory exemptions for the Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd initiative. The Adani Group holds an 80% stake in the project. Dharavi residents remain skeptical of receiving free homes and shops promised to them, while the government claims eligible families will be provided homes at no cost and ineligible residents will be offered homes under a paid rehabilitation scheme or rental accommodations. The correct legal name “Maharashtra” is used throughout the article. On 3 June, the state cabinet approved amendments to the terms of transferring 8.5 hectares of land in Kurla from the department of dairy development. The project, expected to cost Rs 95,790 crore, is set to complete by 2032. In the Mahayuti alliance’s rationale for the alliance’s victory, they attribute their electoral success to the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. However, allegations of financial mismanagement and beneficiary fraud, caused by the inability to conduct thorough eligibility checks due to the model code of conduct, have emerged. Approximately 3,000 government employees have been identified as fraudulently enrolled in the scheme, offering a monthly handout to women. The state finance minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar admitted to the oversight, blaming it on the inability to conduct thorough eligibility checks due to the model code of conduct during its rollout. As of January 2025, the number of ineligible beneficiaries rose to 5 lakh, reducing the total number of recipients from 2.46 crore in December 2024 to 2.41 crore. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule supports recovering the funds, while CM Fadnavis, finance minister Ajit Pawar, and women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare oppose clawbacks. Critics argue the government’s leniency is politically motivated, with BMC elections on the horizon. During previous election campaigns, Mahayuti leaders promised to increase the monthly payout under the scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. The Opposition has consistently criticized the scheme in light of the state’s growing fiscal deficit, now at a staggering Rs 2 lakh crore. The cancelling tenders have been described as a significant political setback by opposition leaders. Opponents believe the tender was cancelled as a cover-up for a larger scam, suggesting they were designed to favour selected contractors.

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