In an ambitious step toward urban renewal, Delhi authorities are considering the adoption of a redevelopment approach similar to the ongoing Dharavi project in Mumbai. The initiative aims to upgrade living conditions in approximately 675 informal settlements across the city, potentially transforming the capital’s urban landscape.
The plan is being evaluated by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with the office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The model under review takes cues from the Dharavi redevelopment project, which involves in-situ rehabilitation, infrastructure development, and commercial incentives to attract private investment.
Delhi, home to over 1,000 slum clusters, struggles with challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate housing, and poor access to basic services. Roughly 30% of its population resides in these settlements, many of which have existed for decades without formal recognition or development.
Under the proposed framework, the redevelopment would be executed through a public-private partnership (PPP), ensuring that existing residents are provided with modern housing in the same location, thereby avoiding displacement. Developers may be incentivized through access to additional land or commercial rights, a model similar to the one being used in Dharavi.
Government officials believe this method could fast-track the city’s slum improvement efforts. A senior DDA official noted that “replicating successful aspects of the Dharavi model, while tailoring it to Delhi’s context, could offer long-term solutions to urban housing shortages and improve the quality of life for lakhs of people.”
However, urban development experts have urged caution, stressing the importance of community involvement and legal safeguards to prevent exploitation or forced evictions. Past redevelopment projects in India have sometimes faced backlash due to inadequate consultation and insufficient rehabilitation benefits.
As a next step, the DDA is expected to prepare a detailed project report outlining the financial, legal, and logistical aspects of the proposed redevelopment. This report will be submitted to the central ministry for review. If approved, pilot projects could begin as early as 2026.
