Residents of Dharavi are set to get relief from traffic congestion and narrow lanes, thanks to the ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). A new plan has been prepared to build a 40-kilometer internal road network within the redeveloped Dharavi.
Under this redevelopment plan, roads will be constructed every 125 meters to reduce dependency on main roads. Each internal road will be between 9 to 12 meters wide, forming a comprehensive network across the area. While the 2016 development plan included provisions for a 20-kilometer road network within the notified Dharavi region, the upcoming 2025 master plan aims to double this to 40 km. The goal is to ensure that residents and commuters can easily access major roads like the Western Express Highway and Eastern Express Highway without getting stuck in traffic jams.
Severe Traffic Issues at Present
Currently, Dharavi primarily relies on two main roads – the 90-feet and 60-feet roads. Due to the lack of additional routes, local residents often face severe traffic congestion. As Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi is densely populated with extremely narrow lanes between shanties, making it difficult for both pedestrians and vehicles to navigate.
The new plan discards the model of simply widening roads and focuses on creating a high-density street grid. In addition, plans are underway to develop wider footpaths and dedicated cycling tracks for pedestrians and cyclists.
Plans to Create a Transport Hub
To improve connectivity between Dharavi and the rest of Mumbai, the DRP has proposed extending the upcoming Metro Line 11 to Dharavi instead of terminating it at BKC. Metro Line 11 is set to run between CSMT and BKC. DRP plans to soon submit a proposal to the government to extend the metro corridor to Dharavi.
The plan also includes integrating rail, metro, and bullet train connectivity to transform Dharavi into a major transportation hub. This integrated transit system aims to bring Dharavi in sync with Mumbai’s broader transport infrastructure.
[…] New Dharavi to Get 40-Km Road Grid, Aims to End Traffic Congestion […]