The Slum Rehabilitation Authoritys (SRA) tender inviting bids for the Redevelopment of Dharavi project which began on June 1, 2007, has drawn a huge response. Leading international developers from 40 cities across the world including the US-based Hynes, Far East-based Capitaland, Ascendas, Ayala, the UAE-based Emaar, Nakheel and Limitless have started lobbying strongly with local developers such as Hiranandani Constructions, Rahejas, Kalpataru, Lokhandwala Infrastructure, Akruti Nirman to form joint ventures for bidding jointly. By July 15, 2007, international developers will submit their JV patterns to SRA, followed by the final bidding process by July-end 2007.
The key question is: will these international builders in association with local developers be successful in bringing about necessary redevelopment within Dharavi (where 55% of its residents live in the squalid slums and over 57,000 families are squeezed into an area of 535 acres) necessitating structural changes at the entry and exit levels of Dharavi.
According to Ghulam Zia, National Director of Research and Advisory Services, Knight Frank, Builders will have to plan and develop high-rise buildings within the periphery of Dharavi in a manner that should enhance the value of the real estate property on the outskirts of the Dharavi also. Otherwise, the redevelopment of the Dharavi project will place a burden on existing infrastructure such as railways, water supply, sewage treatment at the entry and exit points.
Under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, all the eligible slum dwellers whose names are incorporated in the electoral roll of 1995 and whose structures are existing on site will be rehabilitated free of cost in a self contained pucca tenement with a carpet area of 225 sq ft through the developers to be appointed by the government of Maharashtra. Besides, additional amenities like school, an ITI, colleges, municipal hospitals, police stations and post office will be developed and these facilities will be available to slum dwellers.
Iqbal Chahal, the chief executive officer of Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) who has been recently appointed as vice president and chief executive officer for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project told FE, For this, the quantum of amenity requirements is now increased to 10% from the earlier limit of 5%.
Of the 557 acres, the actual redevelopment of Dharavi will span 360 acres, which the state government has divided into five sectors. With the total redevelopment cost of Rs 9,200 crore, Dharavi will be redeveloped as an integrated township with modern amenities that will be financially viable and self-sustaining. It is envisaged to provide the infrastructure along five points dubbed HIKES where H stands for Health: State of Art Health Care Centre; I for Income: Income generation through supporting the craftsmen working in leather, pottery, food processing, garment manufacturing, gems and jewellery industries. K for Knowledge: Through education to achieve 100% literacy, and, S for Socio cultural development.
Hemant Shah, chairman, Akruti Nirman says, Looking at the dynamism of this project, the cost of the project may exceed over Rs 20,000 crore over a period of time from the current estimated cost of Rs 9,300 crore. This is because every aspect of the Dharavi Rehabilitation project is positive as it has gained wide publicity in 40 cities across the world whereby many international builders are looking at bidding for this project.
As per the tender issued by SRA, Dharavis proximity to Mumbais business district, railways and airport provide the strategic advantage of leveraging Dharavis improvement costs with free sale buildable areas. Given an appropriate scale of operation, one large and continuous free sale area can be developed into a high-rise garden city complex, with completely modern infrastructure and amenities for the local residents and all of Mumbai.
Ashutosh Limaye, headurban development of TrammellCrow Megharaj (now Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj), opines, Prior to the Dharavi redevelopment, one of the biggest challenges for the SRA authorities as well as builders will be to eradicate the ongoing illegal commercial activities there.
Mumbai-based Ali Lokhandwala, director, Lokhandwala Infrastructure who has shown keen interest in bidding for the project cautions builders on the resistance which they will have to face from the slum dwellers since everybody has so far been used to living on the ground level. He adds, There will be political agenda by politicians who will try to meet during the redevelopment process. In such circumstances, the state government will have to be firm in terms of standing by the redevelopment plan of Dharavi so that judiciary also supports the state government.
Since the residential buildings will command a selling price of Rs 10,000 per sq ft is similar to the prices on the Western Express Highway, Dharavi will see a population pull from Western and Central suburbs. But redevelopment of Dharavi is being considered good from a urban regeneration point of view since Dharavi has always been a permanent eyesore to foreign travellers flying to India apart from slums adding pollution to the Mithi river.
Niranjan Hiranandani, managing director, Hiranandani Construction says, With Dharavi getting redeveloped, I feel great. Although the state government is not doing anything to remove the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA), at least an effort is being made by them instead of doing away with the slums in Dharavi.
Hafeez Contractora renowned architect from Mumbai told FE, The redevelopment of Dharavi seems to be good and I am looking forward to it as there will be many office buildings and residential complexes.
Although it is understood that the temporary accommodation of slum dwellers will be done at the transit camp by the developers within Dharavi itself, speculations are rife that the same slum dwellers may not go for the upcoming flats. However, Chahal denies any such bottleneck and affirms that the redevelopment project will benefit the slum dwellers and beautify Mumbai.
work in progress
completed buildings
But dont stand still
more such institutes that work to provide affordable housing to people.... this list is for our beloved pakistani member's who think that India spends its money only to buy defence equipments..
