The Dharavi redevelopment project has taken a significant step forward with Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), performing the Bhoomi Poojan at the 22-acre Matunga railway site, marking the commencement of rehabilitation construction for one of Asia’s largest informal settlements, home to more than one million residents.
Adani Navbharat Developers Pvt Ltd (ANDPL), the project’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), will develop 10 towers comprising 10,432 homes and 1,379 commercial and industrial units. Under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme, eligible residents will receive homes measuring 350 sq ft, enabling them to remain within the area as it undergoes redevelopment.
“Every family deserves a home where they feel secure and can plan for the future. We know what this means to Dharavi’s families. At Matunga, we are building 10 towers with 10,432 homes and 1,379 commercial and industrial units, creating neighbourhoods where families can live better and build a brighter future for their children,” said Pranav Adani, Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL)
The 10 towers will be handed over in three phases to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), under the Government of Maharashtra. The first five towers are scheduled for handover by March 2029, followed by two towers by August 2029 and the remaining three by August 2030.
Each tower will have 37 to 39 storeys, with 10 to 12 passenger elevators and two dedicated fire elevators. Two additional elevators will serve the commercial and industrial units. The planned amenities include a kindergarten, community hall, podium gardens, sit-out areas, society offices and places of worship.
The redevelopment also incorporates provisions for the long-term upkeep of shared infrastructure. Ten per cent of the commercial space in each rehabilitation building will be reserved to generate revenue for common infrastructure maintenance. ANDPL will maintain the buildings and shared infrastructure for the first 10 years after handover.
Designing an integrated urban neighbourhood
The project brings together expertise in architecture, engineering and urban planning from international and Indian firms, including US-based Sasaki, UK-based Buro Happold, Mumbai-based StudioPOD, architect Mr Hafeez Contractor, P&T and ARC Studio, alongside urban planning experts from Singapore.
Beyond housing, the wider redevelopment envisages a mixed-use township with shops, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, parks, public transport and other social infrastructure. Essential services are planned within a 15-minute walk, with the aim of creating a more integrated neighbourhood for residents, businesses and the wider community.
The construction milestone follows the inauguration of the Dharavi Experience Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis on Gandhi Jayanti, marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary. The event also featured the unveiling of an anthem dedicated to Dharavi and the release of a coffee-table book documenting its people, culture and history.
Spread across 22,500 sq ft, the Experience Centre offers residents a preview of the proposed redevelopment through life-size sample homes, a 3D walkthrough and interactive displays showcasing the planned housing, workplaces, amenities, transport facilities and open spaces.
“The Dharavi Experience Centre gave residents a first look at the planned homes and neighbourhoods. With construction beginning, our focus is on delivery and long-term upkeep. We will maintain each building and its common infrastructure for 10 years after handover,” said Anil Sardana, CEO, ANDPL.
With construction now commencing at Matunga, the project moves from showcasing its proposed vision to the delivery phase, with housing, commercial spaces and supporting social infrastructure forming the core of the planned transformation.