The much debated proposal to redevelop the Dharavi area in this city, beginning with Sector 5, would soon take off. The state-run Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (Mhada) has been asked to issue the tender by the end of this month. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, at a meeting here today, gave the directive.
The high court here had, in April, dismissed a public interest suit challenging the government's decision to appoint Mhada for redeveloping Sector 5 (one of the five sectors to be redeveloped). Mhada would engage contractors to do the job.
A major part of the land in Sector 5 is owned by the state, Mhada and the city’s municipal corporation. Mhada has transit camps in the locality to accommodate families whose structures would be redone.
Dharavi, sometimes called Asia's biggest slum, is spread on 592 acres. Close to 380 acres is being taken up for redevelopment, and there are plans to rehabilitate 59,000 families, each in 300 sq ft flats. The project entails an investment of Rs 5,000 crore.
A state government official told Business Standard: "The government had scrapped the bidding process in May last year and asked Mhada to redevelop Sector 5. The chief minister took this decision to bring transparency in the entire redevelopment."
