Adani Dharavi Project: 50 thousand people will live on garbage heaps without caring about their health

#News Bureau April 11,2025

The Maharashtra government, in collaboration with the Adani Group, is planning to relocate more than 50,000 people from Mumbai’s Dharavi slum to the Deonar landfill in the name of redevelopment. This is a blatant mockery of people’s lives. Know the full story:

Mumbai’s Dharavi is in the news again. Recently it was in the news for its redevelopment plan. But now it is in the news again because of the way people’s health is being compromised in the name of settling them elsewhere. In this project, the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group company have proposed to settle about 50,000 to 1 lakh residents of Dharavi in ​​Mumbai’s largest garbage dumping ground, Deonar landfill. This decision is not only against environmental rules, but also violates the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

What is the whole plan

The Dharavi redevelopment project aims to transform this slum area into a modern urban center, which includes better housing, sanitation, and basic amenities. A company named Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL) is working on this project. Adani Properties Private Limited has an 80% stake in this company and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) of the Maharashtra government has a 20% stake. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 23,000 crore, and it is targeted to be completed in the next seven years.

What is the whole plan

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project aims to transform this slum area into a modern urban center, with better housing, sanitation, and basic amenities. A company named Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL) is working on this project. Adani Properties Private Limited has an 80% share in this company and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) of the Maharashtra Government has a 20% share. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 23,000 crore, and it is targeted to be completed in the next seven years.

In October last year, a day before the Maharashtra assembly elections were announced, the state government approved a proposal to transfer Dharavi residents to the Deonar landfill. Deonar, which has been Mumbai’s primary garbage dumping ground since 1927, is spread over 311 acres and has accumulated nearly 20 million metric tonnes of solid waste. 124 acres of the landfill has been allocated for housing development to accommodate evacuees from Dharavi.

The decision, however, has raised questions as Deonar is still an active dumping ground, producing 6,202 kg of methane gas every hour. It is one of India’s top 22 methane hotspots. According to the CPCB’s 2021 guidelines, facilities such as housing, schools, or hospitals cannot be built even inside a closed landfill, and no development can take place within 100 metres of its boundary. In the case of Deonar, this rule applies even more strictly, as it is still operational.

No environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been done for the project yet, which is mandatory in the initial stages of planning. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have confirmed that no EIA has been done. SVR Srinivas, chairman of NMDPL and CEO of the project, said that environmental clearance will be applied for before construction begins. However, this delay clearly shows the negligence towards environmental rules.

The garbage dump at the Deonar landfill emits toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide, which are harmful to human health. The average life expectancy of people living in nearby areas like Mankhurd, Govandi, and Shivaji Nagar is already found to be low, and many health problems are prevalent there. Local social activist Fayaz Alam Sheikh has described it as akin to “sending people to a gas chamber.”

Moreover, two plants – a waste-to-energy (WTE) plant and a bio-CNG unit – are planned near the proposed housing site, which are just 50 metres away. According to central housing guidelines, there should be a minimum distance of 300-500 metres between such plants and residential areas. This situation further increases environmental and health risks.

Srinivas cited land shortage in Mumbai as the reason for choosing the Deonar landfill. According to him, 200-300 acres of land is needed for Dharavi redevelopment, and Deonar was the only available option. However, SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar clarified that the land was selected by the NMDPL, and it was later approved by the housing department. It seems like a game of passing the buck.

Dharavi residents have been divided into “eligible” and “ineligible” categories. Residents living on ground floors built before January 1, 2000, have been deemed eligible and will be rehabilitated within Dharavi itself. Ineligible residents will be moved to rental housing to be built in Deonar, Kurla, Wadala, and other locations. So far, counting of 85,000 houses has been completed, and door-to-door surveys of over 50,000 houses have been conducted.

Controversies and criticisms

Violation of environmental norms: The housing construction in Deonar is a clear violation of the CPCB and central housing guidelines. Environmental activists and local residents have called the move “cruel” and “inhuman”.

Lack of transparency: The tender process of the project has been questioned. After a Rs 7,200 crore tender was cancelled in 2018, a new tender of Rs 5,069 crore was awarded to the Adani Group in 2022. The opposition has accused it of “favoring Adani”.

Health risks: Health problems caused by garbage in Deonar are already a big issue. These risks may increase for people living in new housing.

Fear of displacement: There is an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among Dharavi residents. Many do not know whether they are eligible or ineligible, and relocation to a risky area like Deonar is a matter of concern for them.

Challenge of cleaning the landfill: It will take at least 6-7 years and cost over Rs 1,000 crore to clear the 80 lakh metric tonnes of waste in Deonar. Experts say it may take up to two decades to completely remove the garbage and make the land habitable.

Public and political party views

Local and political reactions: Raju Korde, founder of Dharavi Bachao Andolan, has opposed the move, saying that Dharavi should be redeveloped in-situ, and not shift residents to a dangerous area like Deonar.

Opposition: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has dubbed the project a “Modani venture” and alleged unfair favours to the Adani Group. Shiv Sena (Uttar Pradesh) leader Uddhav Thackeray has promised to cancel the tender if his party comes to power.

Environmentalists: Environmentalists like Rishi Agarwal have suggested that Deonar should be used for waste management and not for housing construction.