Pressure, Anxiety and Optimism as India's financial capital Residents Face the Bulldozers

Over an extended period, threatening communications recurred. At first, reportedly from a retired cop and a former defense officer, and then from the authorities. In the end, a local artisan claims he was summoned to the local precinct and told clearly: stop speaking out or face serious consequences.

This third-generation resident is one of many resisting a high-value redevelopment plan where one of India's largest slums – a massive informal community with rich history – will be razed and redeveloped by a large business group.

"The unique ecosystem of this area is unparalleled in the globe," explains the protester. "Yet their intention is to dismantle our community and silence our voices."

Contrasting Realities

The dank gullies of this community sit in stark contrast to the towering buildings and Bollywood penthouses that overshadow the area. Dwellings are assembled randomly and frequently missing basic amenities, unregulated industries produce dangerous fumes and the air is saturated with the overpowering odor of open sewers.

For certain residents, the promise of a renewed Dharavi into a developed area of luxury high-rises, neat parks, contemporary malls and homes with two toilets is a hopeful vision come true.

"There's no sufficient health services, paved pathways or sewage systems and there's nowhere for kids to enjoy," explains a chai seller, fifty-six, who moved from southern India in the early eighties. "The only way is to demolish everything and provide modern residences."

Local Protest

However, some, such as the leather artisan, are opposing the plan.

None deny that Dharavi, consistently overlooked as informal housing, is in stark need investment and development. However they worry that this plan – lacking resident participation – is one that will convert a piece of prime Mumbai real estate into a playground for the rich, displacing the marginalized, immigrant populations who have lived there since generations ago.

These were these marginalized, migrant workers who established the empty marshland into an extensively researched phenomenon of self-reliance and economic productivity, whose production is worth between a significant amount and a substantial sum a year, making it one of the world's largest unregulated sectors.

Resettlement Issues

Among approximately a million residents living in the dense 2.2 square kilometer neighborhood, less than 50% will be able for new homes in the development, which is expected to take an extended timeframe to complete. The remainder will be moved to wastelands and salt plains on the remote edges of the metropolis, risking divide a historic community. A portion will not get residences at all.

Those allowed to continue living in Dharavi will be provided units in multi-story structures, a substantial change from the evolved, collective approach of residing and operating that has maintained this area for many years.

Businesses from tailoring to clay work and material recovery are likely to shrink in number and be transferred to a designated "industrial sector" far from people's residences.

Livelihood Crisis

In the case of the leather artisan, a leather artisan and third generation inhabitant to live in the slum, the plan presents a fundamental risk. His informal, three-storey facility makes garments – sharp blazers, premium outerwear, studded bomber jackets – distributed in premium stores in the city's affluent areas and abroad.

Household members resides in the accommodations underneath and his workers and garment workers – migrants from other states – live in the same building, permitting him to afford their labour. Beyond this community, Mumbai rents are often significantly as high for a single room.

Threats and Warning

At the government offices nearby, an illustrated mock-up of the redevelopment plan illustrates a contrasting outlook. Well-groomed inhabitants gather on two-wheelers and e-vehicles, purchasing western-style baguettes and pastries and enlisting beverages on an outdoor area near Dharavi Cafe and dessert parlor. This represents a world away from the inexpensive idli sambar morning meal and budget beverage that supports local residents.

"This isn't progress for us," says the artisan. "It represents a huge land development that will make it unaffordable for us to survive."

Additionally, there exists skepticism of the development company. Headed by a prominent businessman – one of India's most powerful and an associate of the government head – the conglomerate has faced accusations of favoritism and financial impropriety, which it rejects.

Although local authorities describes it as a partnership, the corporation invested nearly a billion dollars for its controlling interest. A lawsuit alleging that the redevelopment was questionably assigned to the business group is pending in India's supreme court.

Ongoing Pressure

After they started to publicly resist the project, protesters and community members assert they have been faced a long-running campaign of harassment and intimidation – comprising communications, clear intimidation and implications that opposing the initiative was equivalent to opposing national interests – by figures they assert work for the developer.

Included in these accused of delivering warnings is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c