Threats, Apprehension and Aspiration as Mumbai Residents Face the Bulldozers

Across several weeks, intimidating phone calls continued. Initially, supposedly from a retired cop and a retired army general, later from the authorities. In the end, a local artisan states he was called to the local precinct and warned explicitly: stop speaking out or encounter real trouble.

The leather artisan is part of a group fighting a multimillion-dollar redevelopment plan where one of India's largest slums – a massive informal community with rich history – is scheduled to be demolished and transformed by a multinational conglomerate.

"The distinctive community of this area is exceptional in the world," explains the protester. "Yet their intention is to eradicate our community and stop us speaking out."

Dual Worlds

The cramped lanes of this community sit in stark contrast to the high-rise structures and elite residences that overshadow the area. Dwellings are assembled randomly and often lacking adequate facilities, unregulated industries produce dangerous fumes and the air is permeated by the overpowering odor of uncovered waste channels.

To some, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a glistening neighborhood of premium apartments, well-maintained green spaces, modern retail complexes and apartments with two toilets is a hopeful vision achieved.

"We lack adequate medical facilities, roads or sewage systems and there are no spaces for youth to recreate," explains a tea vendor, in his fifties, who moved from his home state in the early eighties. "The only way is to demolish everything and build us new homes."

Local Protest

Yet certain residents, like the leather artisan, are resisting the plan.

All recognize that this community, historically ignored as informal housing, is in stark need financial support and improvement. However they worry that this plan – without resident participation – is one that will turn valuable urban land into a luxury development, evicting the disadvantaged, migrant communities who have resided there since the nineteenth century.

This involved these shunned, migrant workers who developed the empty marshland into a frequently examined example of self-reliance and commercial output, whose economic value is worth between a significant amount and two million dollars annually, making it one of the world's largest unregulated sectors.

Displacement Concerns

Out of about 1 million people living in the dense 2.2 square kilometer area, a minority will be eligible for alternative accommodation in the redevelopment, which is estimated to take a significant period to accomplish. Others will be moved to undeveloped zones and salt plains on the far outskirts of Mumbai, risking fragment a historic community. Certain individuals will not get homes at all.

Those allowed to stay in the area will be provided units in tower blocks, a major break from the organic, communal way of dwelling and laboring that has sustained this area for many years.

Commercial activities from clothing production to ceramic crafts and recycling are projected to reduce in scale and be moved to a specific "commercial zone" distant from residential areas.

Survival Challenge

In the case of the leather artisan, a workshop owner and third generation resident to live in Dharavi, the project presents a survival challenge. His rickety, multi-level facility makes garments – tailored coats, premium outerwear, studded bomber jackets – marketed in luxury boutiques in south Mumbai and abroad.

His family resides in the spaces downstairs and his workers and garment workers – workers from other states – live there, permitting him to afford their labour. Beyond this community, accommodation prices are typically 10 times as high for a single room.

Pressure and Coercion

At the administrative buildings close by, an illustrated mock-up of the redevelopment plan shows an alternative perspective. Slickly dressed residents move around on bicycles and electric vehicles, buying western-style bread and croissants and having coffee on an outdoor area adjacent to a restaurant and dessert parlor. This represents a complete departure from the affordable idli sambar morning meal and low-cost tea that sustains local residents.

"This represents no development for our community," states the artisan. "It's a huge property transaction that will price people out for our community to continue."

There is also concern of the development company. Run by an influential industrialist – a leading figure and an associate of the Indian prime minister – the conglomerate has faced accusations of preferential treatment and questionable practices, which it rejects.

Even as administrative bodies describes it as a collaborative effort, the business group paid $950m for its majority share. A case stating that the initiative was questionably assigned to the business group is pending in the top court.

Sustained Harassment

From when they initiated to vocally oppose the project, local opponents assert they have been faced a long-running campaign of harassment and intimidation – including phone calls, clear intimidation and implications that opposing the project was comparable with opposing national interests – by individuals they assert work for the corporate group.

Included in these alleged to have issuing the threats is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c