New Delhi: The ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project has moved a step closer to on-ground execution, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issuing notices to residents of Shahunagar to vacate their homes and prepare for temporary relocation.
The move follows similar notices issued last month by redevelopment authorities to families in Dharavi’s Sector 6. Officials said the objective is to free up land for construction activities and speed up the delivery of permanent rehabilitation housing under the large-scale urban renewal project.
According to government officials, around 900 BMC tenant families living in Shahunagar will be required to relocate temporarily while redevelopment work is carried out. Residents will have the option of moving into transit accommodation or rented housing during the construction period.
For those opting for transit homes, approximately 500 ready-to-occupy units have been prepared in Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) buildings located in Sector 5 of Dharavi. Authorities said these transit apartments offer larger and improved living spaces compared to many existing structures and will be maintained by the project authorities.
Officials said agreements will be signed with residents before relocation, clearly outlining the terms of temporary accommodation and their rehabilitation rights. Shahunagar residents are expected to receive permanent homes within the same locality within five years from the issuance of the commencement certificate.
Under the relocation package, families currently residing in homes up to 275 square feet will receive a monthly rent allowance of Rs 22,000, while those living in 375-square-foot units will be entitled to Rs 30,000 per month. The rent assistance will increase by 5 per cent annually. In addition, each family will receive a one-time shifting allowance of Rs 15,000.
Residents will also be eligible for newly built homes with a minimum carpet area of 500 square feet or 1.35 times the size of their existing homes, whichever is greater.
The latest development comes after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed authorities to make 10,000 new homes available by 2028. Officials described the relocation drive as a key step in transitioning the Dharavi Redevelopment Project from planning to large-scale implementation.
