Only Structures Built Before 2000 Eligible; Owners Must Pay for Extra Space
Only commercial structures in Dharavi that were established before January 1, 2000, will be eligible for benefits under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). As per the Dharavi Redevelopment: Only 225 Sq Ft Free for Commercial Structures, Owners Raise Concern Owners seeking additional space will have to pay construction charges, the amount of which will be determined by the government.
Dharavi spans approximately 600 acres and houses over 10,000 small and large commercial structures. Many of these businesses play a vital role in the local economy, providing livelihoods to thousands.
However, the Dharavi Business Welfare Association has opposed the government’s decision to limit eligibility to structures built before 2000. The association has demanded that all existing commercial structures in the area be included in the project benefits.
According to Ansar Ahmed Shaikh, Vice President of the Association, many families depend on businesses in Dharavi for their livelihood. Considering the area’s significance, he said, owners should at least be given space equivalent to what they currently possess. He also advocated for the area to be developed as an industrial hub, ensuring that all commercial structures receive space in one consolidated location.
Rising Concerns Among Business Owners
The government’s recent announcement to provide Dharavi Redevelopment: Only 225 Sq Ft Free for Commercial Structures, Owners Raise Concern has sparked serious concern among local business owners. Many of them operate out of much larger premises and fear a substantial loss of business space under the proposed plan. In response, the Dharavi Business Welfare Association has intensified its activism, urging authorities to reconsider the policy.
Sameer Sheikh, President, Dharavi Business Men”s Welfare Association, who runs a bakery and hotel business in Dharavi, expressed frustration over the eligibility criteria.
“Our bakery and hotel have been running here for 60 to 70 years, but due to lack of proper documentation, the authorities are declaring us ineligible. How is that fair? We believe that every genuine business owner should be considered eligible. Moreover, we’ve asked them to clarify where our businesses will be shifted. We currently operate in properties ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft, and the government is offering just 225 sq ft. How can we possibly run our operations in such a small space?” he said.
Sheikh also highlighted the inconsistency in the eligibility criteria for residential and commercial units, calling for a more balanced and transparent approach.
225 sq ft is simply not acceptable
Akbar Patel, 65, who owns a leather business, echoed similar concerns.
“Our family has been living and working here for over 100 years—this is the fourth generation in the same trade. Suddenly asking us to relocate is not practical. We have built our lives and businesses here. Like others, we operate in properties that are 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft in size. Giving us only 225 sq ft is simply not acceptable. Our demand is simple—give us the same area we currently occupy, and let us continue our business here, not somewhere else.”
While the government has proposed larger residential units under the DRP compared to the SRA provisions, Patel insists that the same consideration must be extended to commercial units to ensure fairness and sustainability for long-standing local businesses.
