The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has reached a crucial milestone with the release of its first official "Annexure II" list, identifying slum households eligible for new housing. This list encompasses 505 structures located on railway land in Meghwadi and Ganesh Nagar, situated in Mahim, marking significant progress in one of India's most ambitious urban renewal projects.

The released list outlines various options for residents, including in-situ redevelopment within Dharavi and alternative relocation plans. According to the policy, households that were established before January 1, 2000, are entitled to a 350 sq ft tenement at their current location in Dharavi. However, some occupants who purchased their pre-2000 slum structures from previous residents will be required to pay a nominal transfer fee of ₹40,000 to secure ownership.

For households established between January 2000 and January 1, 2011, the eligibility extends to subsidized housing outside of Dharavi. These residents will be relocated to areas such as Kurla Dairy land, salt-pan lands in the eastern suburbs, or Aksa in Malad, upon payment of ₹2.5 lakh. Occupants who settled in Dharavi after 2011 may be offered accommodation in the Affordable Rental Housing Scheme located outside Dharavi, particularly those who moved in after November 15, 2022, or those residing in ground floor tenements built post-2011.

Of the 505 structures included in the list, authorities have confirmed that 101 are eligible for in-situ rehabilitation. Additionally, 56 may secure ownership through a one-time transfer fee, 13 are eligible for subsidized relocation housing, and 59 may avail rental accommodation. However, the status of 238 structures remains uncertain due to incomplete documentation from the respective households. DRP officials have set a deadline of July 5 for the submission of required documents, after which non-compliant households risk being excluded from the final eligibility list.

While the release of the eligibility list signifies progress, it also highlights the challenges ahead. Approximately 75% of the 505 households are slated for relocation outside Dharavi, raising concerns among the community. Activists like Raju Korde, founder-member of Dharavi Bachao Andolan, have expressed that the list indicates a potential displacement of a significant number of residents from Dharavi.

In response, the CEO of DRP and head of the redevelopment authority stated that the agency is committed to accelerating the verification process. The ambitious ₹95,790-crore project aims to provide eligible residents with well-equipped 350 square feet homes. To expedite in-situ rehabilitation, the government is considering land at locations like the Deonar dumping ground, Aksa, Mulund, salt pans in Bhandup and Kanjurmarg, and the Kurla dairy land to accommodate those who are deemed ineligible for in-situ rehabilitation.