Pressure, Apprehension and Hope as Mumbai Inhabitants Face Demolition
Across several weeks, coercive messages recurred. Initially, allegedly from an ex-law enforcement official and an ex-military commander, later from law enforcement directly. Finally, Mohammad Khurshid Shaikh states he was summoned to law enforcement headquarters and warned explicitly: keep quiet or face serious consequences.
Shaikh is one of many resisting a multimillion-dollar initiative where Dharavi – a massive informal community with rich history – faces razed and transformed by a multinational conglomerate.
"The distinctive community of Dharavi is like nowhere else in the world," says the resident. "Yet the plan aims to eradicate our community and prevent our protests."
Contrasting Realities
The narrow alleys of this community present a dramatic difference to the towering buildings and Bollywood penthouses that overshadow the neighborhood. Dwellings are constructed informally and frequently lacking adequate facilities, small-scale operations release harmful emissions and the environment is saturated with the unpleasant stench of exposed drainage.
Among some individuals, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a modern district of premium apartments, organized recreational areas, modern retail complexes and residences with two toilets is an optimistic future realized.
"There's no adequate medical facilities, roads or drainage and there's nowhere for youth to recreate," states a chai seller, 56, who relocated from his home state in 1982. "The sole solution is to demolish everything and provide modern residences."
Local Protest
Yet certain residents, including the leather artisan, are opposing the plan.
None deny that the slum, historically ignored as informal housing, is in stark need investment and development. But they fear that this project – without resident participation – could potentially turn valuable urban land into a playground for the rich, displacing the lower-caste, immigrant populations who have lived there since the late 1800s.
These were these excluded, migrant workers who developed the vacant wetlands into a frequently examined example of self-reliance and business activity, whose economic value is estimated at between $1m and $2m annually, making it among the globe's biggest informal economies.
Resettlement Issues
Out of about 1 million inhabitants living in the dense sprawling zone, less than 50% will be qualified for replacement housing in the project, which is projected to take a significant period to finish. Others will be moved to barren areas and saline fields on the distant periphery of the city, risking break up a generations-old social network. Some will be denied residences at all.
Residents permitted to continue living in the neighborhood will be allocated apartments in multi-story structures, a major break from the evolved, collective approach of residing and operating that has maintained this area for so long.
Industries from clothing production to pottery and material recovery are likely to shrink in number and be relocated to an allocated "industrial sector" distant from homes.
Existential Threat
In the case of the leather artisan, a leather artisan and long-time of his family to live in the slum, the plan presents a survival challenge. His rickety, multi-level workshop creates garments – formal jackets, premium outerwear, decorated jackets – sold in high-end shops in the city's affluent areas and abroad.
Relatives dwells in the spaces downstairs and his workers and sewers – workers from different regions – reside in the same building, permitting him to afford their labour. Away from the slum, housing costs are often significantly costlier for a single room.
Pressure and Coercion
At the official facilities in the vicinity, an illustrated mock-up of the redevelopment plan illustrates a contrasting outlook. Slickly dressed inhabitants mill about on cycles and electric vehicles, acquiring continental baguettes and croissants and socializing on a terrace outside a restaurant and dessert parlor. It is a complete departure from the inexpensive idli sambar breakfast and 5-rupee chai that sustains Dharavi's community.
"This represents no improvement for our community," says the artisan. "It's a massive land development that will price people out for our community to continue."
Furthermore, there's skepticism of the development company. Headed by a powerful tycoon – a leading figure and a supporter of the government head – the conglomerate has faced accusations of favoritism and questionable practices, which it disputes.
While local authorities labels it a collaborative effort, the developer paid $950m for its 80% stake. Legal proceedings alleging that the redevelopment was questionably assigned to the business group is pending in the nation's highest judicial body.
Ongoing Pressure
From when they initiated to publicly resist the project, Shaikh and other residents assert they have been experienced an extended period of pressure and threats – involving phone calls, explicit warnings and implications that opposing the initiative was tantamount to speaking against the country – by people they assert work for the business conglomerate.
Included in these suspected of issuing the threats is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c
