Dharavi Redevelopment Project

[bhargavsura]

You know what?

There is a high possibility of Dharavi being termed as "Icon of the country" (Desh ka Anmol Ratan) after winning the oscars for Slumdog by the politicians who always will try to find a way to woo the voters. If they do it, people will not want to get out of the "Icon".

Anyways, I am not seeing development of Dharavi for the next 10-15 years.

[bhargavsura]

The following isn't in Dharavi, but close enough!

MHADA flats for Mumbai's Slumdog kids
Mumbai:

The Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Kripashankar Singh has recommended the chief minister that two child actors of Slumdog Millionaire be given flats under MHADA's two per cent quota.

MHADA chairman Amarjitsingh Manhas has also written to MHADA CEO Gautam Chatterjee recommending that Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Qureshi be given MHADA flats.

"I am meeting the Chief Minister Ashok Chavan this evening, where I will request him to grant the flats to the two kids," said Kripashankar Singh. The kids are presently residing in the Garib Nagar slums in Bandra.


"We have to look after the future of the children who have brought laurels to the country," said Singh.

"It is a monumental occassion for India that Slumdog Millionaire has won eight Oscars, but it pains to see that these children will go back to living in the slums" Manhas added.

According to Manhas, giving homes to these under priviledged children will encourage others to perform in different fields and bring laurels to the country.

Singh will meet the Chief Minister Shri Ashokrao Chavan at 9.30 pm on Tuesday and initiate the process.

Source: Mid-day

[niknak]

I used to believe that this plan had some potential. But now, I know this plan is not going to happen.

For whom is this redevelopment being done? It's certainly not being done for the people of Dharavi. And these 800,000 people are not simply going to watch their housing being demolished in order for a new cricket stadium to come up.

I think Dharavi should be redeveloped, and I don't like Dharavi as it is right now. But I think this plan has no potential whatsoever. I will bet a million dollars that in 2 years, this plan will have failed.

I think someone needs to develop a plan by bringing together slum politicians and leaders, slum NGOs, city politicians, and urban planners and architects. I don't think someone who built luxury homes in NYC and now lives on Napean Sea Road can or should head this project. How about someone who's actually from Dharavi!

[IndiansUnite]

^...And the typical whiny posts from you continue.

Originally Posted by niknak

For whom is this redevelopment being done? It's certainly not being done for the people of Dharavi. And these 800,000 people are not simply going to watch their housing being demolished in order for a new cricket stadium to come up.

Cricket stadium? Why would a developer include that to be part of their proposed sector plan? The 5 sectors will have land for commercial development (to lure builders to bid) and include FREE rehousing for all slum dwellers.

Originally Posted by niknak

But I think this plan has no potential whatsoever. I will bet a million dollars that in 2 years, this plan will have failed.

ok.

Originally Posted by niknak

I think someone needs to develop a plan by bringing together slum politicians and leaders, slum NGOs, city politicians, and urban planners and architects.

err..that's exactly what's happening. A committee comprising of planners, ex-bueaucrats, activists and architects has been formed to overlook the makeover project.

Originally Posted by niknak

I don't think someone who built luxury homes in NYC and now lives on Napean Sea Road can or should head this project. How about someone who's actually from Dharavi!

and you expect the guy from Dharavi to dictate the developers on how to utilize the land? Just wondering, but do you even know the basic info about how Dharavi's going to be redeveloped? cos from whatever you wrote above, it seems highly unlikely.

[niknak]

First of all, if you don't like my posts, then don't read them! No one is forcing you to read my posts.

Originally Posted by IndiansUnite

Cricket stadium? Why would a developer include that to be part of their proposed sector plan? The 5 sectors will have land for commercial development (to lure builders to bid) and include FREE rehousing for all slum dwellers.

Mukesh Mehta is heading the project. He wants to add a golf course or 120,000 seater cricket stadium.

I know that the slum dwellers are going to get "free" housing but have you seen the "free" housing already built in Dharavi by SRA? You think 800,000 people are simply going to smile and watch their homes get demolished and go live in those verticle slums?

Originally Posted by IndiansUnite

and you expect the guy from Dharavi to dictate the developers on how to utilize the land? Just wondering, but do you even know the basic info about how Dharavi's going to be redeveloped? cos from whatever you wrote above, it seems highly unlikely.

So people from Dharavi are stupid and uneducated? People from Dharavi can't decide wut to do with their community? Are people from Dharavi sooo retarded that it's better for outsiders to come in and dictate what's going to be done with their land?

Do you know what a vote bank is? Do you know that 800,000 people have much more influence than you would imagine. Do you really think the people of Dharavi are going to let some rich Manhattan developer demolish their community?

[IndiansUnite]

Originally Posted by Niknak

First of all, if you don't like my posts, then don't read them! No one is forcing you to read my posts.

It gets annoying when all I get to read in most of the infra threads (in the little time that I have) are whines and more whines by the same member.

Originally Posted by Niknak

Mukesh Mehta is heading the project. He wants to add a golf course or 120,000 seater cricket stadium.

He wants to have these recreational facilities but would any of the 5 chosen developers include that in their plan? It's highly doubtful since the developers would like to exploit the max FSI stated in the bidding doc and rake in the moolah. His wants don't play a role in the developer's plans. If you get a chance to grab of a copy of the bidding doc, do let me know where it stipulates that the developer would have to build a cricket stadium or any other facility.

And btw Mukesh Mehta isn't heading the project in the real sense. His proposal to tap private developers' money was accepted by the government which made him the brainchild and the chief project consultant. He is a guy known for going overboard infront of the media and making ludicrous statements which make whatever he says sound like drivel. The golf course and cricket stadium are simply part of drivel.

So people from Dharavi are stupid and uneducated? People from Dharavi can't decide wut to do with their community? Are people from Dharavi sooo retarded that it's better for outsiders to come in and dictate what's going to be done with their land?

Their land? since when?

If you want to put words in my mouth, then so be it. Like it or not, the 5 chosen developers who will dictate the land utilization in their mandated sector. This ofcourse will be overlooked by the committee that was recently constituted. I'm up for someone from Dharavi being part of the committee but directly appointing him/her as the project consultant or head just cos the person if from Dharavi is pushing it.

Originally Posted by Niknak

Do you know what a vote bank is? Do you know that 800,000 people have much more influence than you would imagine.

From ridiculing the plan to having no potential you've brought it down to the votebank. Ofcourse the votebank will play a big role in what finally takes place in Dharavi..Duh. There haven't been any recent political demonstrations and I hope it remains that way.

Originally Posted by Niknak

Do you really think the people of Dharavi are going to let some rich Manhattan developer demolish their community?

Yes they will. If they wouldn't then the Dharavi Development Authority office would have been up in flames when the presentations by the developers began. The only recent protest (besides yours) coming from Dharavi is not against demolishing their community but against the proposed size of the allotted apartment. The government has increased it from 225sq ft to 300 sq ft and has also given the people an option to have a 400 sq ft apartment if they cough up the money.

[niknak]

Originally Posted by IndiansUnite

It gets annoying when all I get to read in most of the infra threads (in the little time that I have) are whines and more whines by the same member.

WELL THEN DON'T READ IT!!!!! I don't tell you what to say, and you are no one to tell me what to say. If you don't like my posts, then simply ignore them and move on with your life.



People in Dharavi have not protested because nothing tangible has been happening about this project. If they send bulldozers tomorrow, I will guarantee you that chaos will erupt. They've already stated that they plan on blocking Mumbai's railways if the bulldozers come.

I guess we can wait and see what happens with this project. But I feel pretty confident that I will be the one to say "I told you so"

Btw, I may suggest that you go visit Dharavi before commenting on the project. You seem pretty out of touch with what the people of Dharavi think. My comments are based on prior experience of going in Dharavi and other slums in Mumbai and volunteering there.

[Bombay Boy]

dharavi should be turned into one big parking lot for all our cars. with bubblegum vending machines. and popcorn. yeah

[qwertyasd]

Originally Posted by niknak

People in Dharavi have not protested because nothing tangible has been happening about this project. If they send bulldozers tomorrow, I will guarantee you that chaos will erupt. They've already stated that they plan on blocking Mumbai's railways if the bulldozers come.

Either you are blind or are totally out of touch with this project.
Do you even read the posts on this forum or do you just make up your mind right from the start?

If this piece of news is not something tangible happening then nothing is!
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/it...-slums/406156/

There are problems for dharavi development. everybody knows that - we are a democracy and we have to live with the disadvantages that come with it. But, just assuming that the slum-dwellers don't want better houses is just pathetic.

[niknak]

By tangible I mean that not one bulldozer has entered Dharavi so far. I think once the bulldozers enter, then this "Dharavi Redvelopment Project" will be a different story. No one cares if some studies r being conducted. It's when the bulldozers come knocking- that's when we'll see the real action.

Do you seriously believe this redevelopment is being done for the people of Dharavi?

I think this is being done for the large business interests of the city. I'd rather see Dharavi being redeveloped, but I don't think the people are going to approve of this project when it's bulldozer time.

[zenith_suv]

Originally Posted by niknak

By tangible I mean that not one bulldozer has entered Dharavi so far. I think once the bulldozers enter, then this "Dharavi Redvelopment Project" will be a different story. No one cares if some studies r being conducted. It's when the bulldozers come knocking- that's when we'll see the real action.

Do you seriously believe this redevelopment is being done for the people of Dharavi?

I think this is being done for the large business interests of the city. I'd rather see Dharavi being redeveloped, but I don't think the people are going to approve of this project when it's bulldozer time.

So what do you propose for Dharavi - just your opinion , it'll be very intresting to know that.

If we cant involve the corporates or use bull donzers , what can we do - We've watched silently as these slums have come up and it's our responsibility to eradicate them , besides - any final decision will never be taken without at least 80% of the population there agreeing in principle and in writing.

[qwertyasd]

Originally Posted by niknak

By tangible I mean that not one bulldozer has entered Dharavi so far. I think once the bulldozers enter, then this "Dharavi Redvelopment Project" will be a different story. No one cares if some studies r being conducted. It's when the bulldozers come knocking- that's when we'll see the real action.

Do you seriously believe this redevelopment is being done for the people of Dharavi?

I think this is being done for the large business interests of the city. I'd rather see Dharavi being redeveloped, but I don't think the people are going to approve of this project when it's bulldozer time.

why this hatred towards corporates? they are also human beings just like you and me. i am sure there are as many bad people in Dharavi as there are in corporations. Does not mean you cannot involve them in redevelopment.

Its a win-win situation - Dharavi residents get their homes and businesses get to make money.

Slum rehab has been going on for a long time now - earlier it was smaller slums that were rehabed - this is the first time that a slum of such a magnitude is being rehabed in one go. Previous rehabs have been successful. Let us see if this one is too. If not, they have to revert back to the distributed tiny rehabs.

Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages - lets see which one prevails.

[niknak]

Originally Posted by zenith_suv

So what do you propose for Dharavi - just your opinion , it'll be very intresting to know that.

If we cant involve the corporates or use bull donzers , what can we do - We've watched silently as these slums have come up and it's our responsibility to eradicate them , besides - any final decision will never be taken without at least 80% of the population there agreeing in principle and in writing.

We definitely have to involve corporates, but not the way we are right now. Redevelopment is not being done for the people of Dharavi, it's being done for the business interests of the city. Maybe that's why the government has ommited the usual 70% approval.

Unless the people of Dharavi are involved in and in agreement with the decision process, nothing is going to get done. I too want to see a slum free Mumbai. I too get annoyed when I have to walk on the road because there are hawkers or slums on the sidewalk. But look at it realistically. These people hold a lot of power and they're not going to let go of their land unless the redevelopment is being done for them.

Bhargavsura, maybe in the future, I may be involved in this project directly. I don't see any scope of this project working the way it's proposed right now. A proposal that can balance corporate and slumdweller interests may work in the future.

Qwertysd, corporates are not bad. And yes, they are also humans, like you and me. No one's trying to deny that. But if you look at the project the way it's proposed right now, builders, developers, and real estate people will make huge profits. We will have to involve the private sector in something of this magnitude. BUT, it has to be balanced. Shoving 800,000 people into tiny apartments and using the rest of the land for businesses etc. may not be the best idea.

[IndiansUnite]

Originally Posted by Niknak

WELL THEN DON'T READ IT!!!!! I don't tell you what to say, and you are no one to tell me what to say. If you don't like my posts, then simply ignore them and move on with your life.

Where have I told you what to say? LOL. I'm merely highlighting something that I and perhaps other members find annoying. You don't have to get all worked up and bold your message to get it across. Let's both agree that you're annoying and move on. LOL

Originally Posted by Niknak

If they send bulldozers tomorrow, I will guarantee you that chaos will erupt. They've already stated that they plan on blocking Mumbai's railways if the bulldozers come.

If they send bulldozers tomorrow, I will guarantee you that all the affected slum dwellers would have already been moved to a transit camp. I'm sure the SRA wouldn't like to screw the project up by bulldozing their way through.

Originally Posted by Niknak

You seem pretty out of touch with what the people of Dharavi think.

I've read both sides of the argument from Dharavi dwellers. Though the project has been bogged down by beuracracy and other hindrances, it has progressed to the presentation stage and tangible progress (IDing people is considered tangible) has been made on the street as qwertyasd pointed out. While there are people opposed to the project, most of Dharavi seems to be upbeat about it. I'll say it again, the DDA would have been up in flames if the people Dharavi opposed the project.

Originally Posted by Niknak

No one cares if some studies r being conducted.

What a baseless comment. Are you for real? People in the Kumbharwada section and other sections DO care about IDing people and conducting surveys.

Originally Posted by Niknak

Shoving 800,000 people into tiny apartments and using the rest of the land for businesses etc. may not be the best idea.

That's your opinion. Most of the people would be happy living in a 300/400 sq ft apartment with all the basic amenities and cleaner surroundings. Which slum dweller wouldn't?

Like qwertyasd pointed out, previous SR projects have been successful. Even the one by Unitech involving 17k families at Golibar Maidan (Santa Cruz) is going great guns. These projects would definitely give the people of Dharavi more confidence to trust private developers. But invigorating confidence in you would require a miracle, something which I don't give two hoots to.

[Suncity]

Cool down guys.

[niknak]

Ok, this is a waste of time. I've made my point. You guys can think what you want. We'll see what ends up happening. So far this project has kept getting delayed and delayed. If you guys are right and this project does get implemented successfully, we will all be happy, including me. But I look at it realistically. And judging from my experiences, I don't think this project will take off as it is proposed right now.

Btw, I don't need anyone telling me my posts are annoying. Like I said, if you think they're annoying, then please dont read them. I have every right to say what I believe. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it. That's the rule I follow. Disagreeing with someone is one thing. Calling someone annoying is another.

[barrykul]

I hope after the fame of Slumdog Millionaire the babus/politicians remove their collective heads from the sewer pit of inaction to one of quick and decisive action. The nation cannot afford the negative image portrayed in the world through a commercial movie. About time for action.

[Bombay Boy]

who gives a f*ck about our image. what we should be worrying about is the problems people face and solve them because we want all humans to live a good, comfortable life not because it looks bad on the movie screen

[niknak]

HDIL opts out, 14 left in fray for Dharavi redevelopment project
The 14 consortia, which are now eligible to bid for the project, went through a two-week process of presenting draft masterplans of how they would redevelop the 535-acre shantytown in Mumbai
Madhurima Nandy
Mumbai: Following weeks of speculation on who’s in and who’s out of the Rs15,000 crore project to redevelop the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, a final list of 14 teams of developers has been compiled—after five teams opted out of the race, including the country’s largest slum redeveloper, Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL).
The 14 consortia, which are now eligible to bid for the project, went through a two-week process of presenting draft masterplans of how they would redevelop the 535-acre shantytown in Mumbai.
Weighing options: Dharavi Development Authority CEO Gautam Chatterjee said interesting aspects emerged from the presentations that the authority will consider while making the final master plan.
Weighing options: Dharavi Development Authority CEO Gautam Chatterjee said interesting aspects emerged from the presentations that the authority will consider while making the final master plan.
HDIL, which partnered with Lehman Brothers Holding Inc., was forced to opt out of the project, after the latter went bankrupt last year. “We were waiting for the HDIL team to make their presentation, which is a mandatory part of the technical evaluation process, but they didn’t respond. So, they are not a part of the project anymore,” said Gautam Chatterjee, chief executive officer of Dharavi Development Authority.
HDIL managing director Sarang Wadhawan, who had previously told Mint that the company will bid for all the five sectors to be redeveloped, even if it is eligible to develop only one, did not respond to calls or email. The company is also executing the massive relocation of 85,000 slum dwellers in Mumbai for a project by Mumbai International Airport Ltd.
Besides the HDIL-Lehman consortium, the other four teams that are not bidding anymore are Limitless Llc., Reliance Engineering Associates Pvt. Ltd-Urban Infrastructure Venture Capital Ltd, Larsen and Toubro Ltd-Godrej Properties Ltd and Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. Korea-Potential Group.
Chatterjee admitted that he was not expecting a “great” response owing to the ongoing financial downturn, which has put several developers in a serious liquidity crunch. Current market conditions may also slow the already-delayed project that has to be completed in seven years. “The winning bidders would be co-developers in the project and not mere contractors. So, if they want to go a little slow with the project, we will consider their opinion.”
The project, that promises to convert a giant cluster of shanties to a throbbing business district with modern housing, initially had attracted the interest of 19 shortlisted consortia, of which 14 are still in the running.
“Despite the economic conditions, (the) Dharavi (project) is still a viable business model, which is why we are still going ahead with it. The fact that it is a crucial project that will change the face of Mumbai is also a reason why we want to be associated with it,” said Abhisheck Lodha, director of Lodha Group, which has tied up with a Malaysian construction company LBS Bina Group Berhad as a technical partner. Lodha Group is planning to bid for two-three sectors out of the five in the project.
After the presentations have been made before a committee of experts comprising architects and urban planners, each team was given instant feedback and asked to incorporate them in their draft masterplans.
Chatterjee said a number of interesting aspects emerged from many of the presentations that the authority will consider while making the final master plan. “There are a number of international architects working with the teams, which gave rise to interesting ways of sewage treatment, rainwater harvesting and power conservation. There have also been suggestions of a monorail network connecting Dharavi and a road-over-road in the area for better exit and entry routes, which we will seriously work upon,” he said.
The real hurdle will be the financial evaluation process, after which final five teams will be selected, where each team will develop one sector, said property consultants. “Technical evaluation is always easy, but qualifying for the financial bids is the challenge. In such conditions, I think many of these teams would opt out eventually unless the government really lowers the bid amount and goes ahead with a project. Unless they have a very strong financial partner, even developers such as DLF and Unitech (cannot) execute this project when they themselves are in trouble,” said a property analyst with a Mumbai real-estate advisory, who didn’t want to be named.

[ir desi]

IU, it's not worth arguing with the whiner. His posts go down one of the old paths of poor debate logic, which is "I make an unsupported point, say ignore my point if you don't like it, and finally, because i can't win with facts assert my presupposed superiority and say you're not worth my time". Well indeed, with this guy, it seems to happen every time.