Supreme Court Clears Way for Dharavi Residents’ Rehabilitation on Mulund Salt Pan Land
Introduction In a landmark decision that could reshape Mumbai’s urban planning, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the Bombay High Court’s ruling to allocate 150 acres of Mulund salt pan land for the rehabilitation of ineligible Dharavi residents under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The verdict brings closure to a decades-long legal dispute over land originally leased for salt production but left unused for over 30 years. Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Eligibility Criteria The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the world’s largest urban renewal initiatives, classifies residents into categories based on settlement dates: Residents before January 1, 2000 : Eligible for free 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi . Residents between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2011 : Eligible for 300 sq ft homes at alternate sites , such as the Mulund salt pan land. This classification ensures equitable rehabilitation while addressing the housing needs of a massive slum popula...