‘Dharavi Revamp Survey Most Transparent Ever, Those Left Out Can…’: CEO Explains Plan For Mumbai

Last Updated:June 10, 2025, 18:26 IST

“Dharavi is a bubbling economy and a thriving economy. More than 1 Billion USD of business happens there but it is all in informal sector,” says SVR Srinivas

Amid protests by some dwellers and opposition parties, SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), on Tuesday said the “survey was the most transparent ever”.

The Maharashtra government recently gave its nod to the master plan for the ambitious Rs 95,790-crore project. “Dharavi is a major economic hub and a unique industrial cluster whose original character must be preserved in the redevelopment. Every original resident of Dharavi should be provided with a home,” CM Devendra Fadnavis had said on X.

Srinivas told ANI: “The survey process is by far the most transparent process ever for an SRA project in India. It is digitised. The data is fail-safe and foolproof. We also have done a digital twin whereby you just go to the map and you will come to know everything about that household, commercial unit.”

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When asked about the objections and complaints, he said, “It is quite possible that some people are left out during the survey, sometimes because they are not available and sometimes because they choose not to participate. For that, there is a grievance redressal committee. But before that, there is an appellate officer, then a grievance redressal committee. There is also a process of the appellate committee…”

‘BUILDING LIVELIHOODS’

“This project is as much about providing houses as about protecting their livelihoods. Dharavi is a bubbling economy and a thriving economy. More than 1 Billion USD of business happens there but it is all in informal sector. Why informal? Because there are no entitlements. This project will empower and entitle the residents of Dharavi to do their businesses. They will come into the formal sector. They will be protected,” he said.

“Secondly, let’s look at what are the types of businesses there. Dharavi is India’s largest recycling industry. From Tamil Nadu, you get tanneries and the leather goods and leather manufacturing takes place here which goes all over the country as well as abroad,” he added.

“Third is the government sector. Government manufacturing textile sector is very much a part of this exercise. Fourth is food industry. Fifth is pottery. So, very highly labour-intensive industries are in this area.”

“The idea of the government is to ensure that these industries and manufacturing units and retail units and commercial establishments which are highly labour-intensive are not only protected but they will also be expanded so that the livelihoods are protected and employments opportunities are not only expanded but also new opportunities are generated…”

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies …Read More

At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies … Read More

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