Why delay in Dharavi redevelopment project, asks Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday demanded to know why the state government had not implemented the Dharavi redevelopment project formulated in 2004.

The HC also directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit regarding the reason behind the delay, and adjourned the hearing for January 17.

The HC was hearing a plea filed by some Dharavi residents, who were promised better flats in 2004 after the state government held them eligible for rehabilitation.

On February 4, 2004, the government had passed a resolution stating it would redevelop their part of the slum, but did nothing to implement it.

The petitioners, Anand Malhari Honkeri and fellow residents,  claim that the government, which was to use the allotted fund of Rs 5,600 crore for the work, is now entrusting the project to the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA).

However, it states, “Under the Rajiv Gandhi Yojna, a redevelopment was done by MHADA and the buildings are now in a dilapidated condition, thus we don’t need the same authority to undertake redevelopment.”

Dharavi is spread over 535 acres and split into five sectors. In February 2004, a global tender was floated.

A total of 19 consortiums were selected to bid, of which only six remained

interested. This May, the state cancelled all tenders and appointed MHADA to undertake the revamping of Sector 5.