‘No Business Will Relocate,’ Asserts DBWA Amid Concerns Over Dharavi Redevelopment Project

Mumbai: The Dharavi Business Welfare Association (DBWA) has strongly declared that no business will be permitted to move from Dharavi, irrespective of the worries surrounding the Dharavi redevelopment initiative. Although Dharavi is commonly known as the largest slum in Asia, it is also acknowledged as an industrial center hosting various small enterprises, including those in leather, textiles, pottery, and recycling.

A public gathering took place on a recent Sunday, where local business owners expressed their need for sufficient housing and industrial space in Dharavi, emphasizing that both small and large industries should be preserved there. The plans for redevelopment have not indicated where these businesses will be located, leading to considerable uncertainty within the business community.

The gathering, featuring prominent political personalities like MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLA Jyoti Gaikwad, emphasized the organization’s dedication to stopping the relocation of industries. The Dharavi Bachao Andolan expressed worries regarding the Adani group’s plans to create a new commercial area in Dharavi, which could displace local inhabitants. They urged for the rehabilitation of every Dharavi resident, including particular demands for 500 sq. ft. housing units and allocated land for industries to continue functioning in the region.

Sameer Mangru, the representative of the association, underscored that the community will not allow any new developments that jeopardize their lifestyle, especially resisting the Adani group’s expansion initiatives. The primary takeaway from the meeting was a strong sense of unity among the entrepreneurs and residents of Dharavi, emphasizing their right to remain and prosper in their community during the ongoing talks about redevelopment.