RTI Bombshell: No Railway Land for Dharavi Rehab

• Sprouts SIT Exposes Housing Flaw in Mega Project

• Dharavi Dreams Dashed: Railways Have No Space

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

An RTI filed by Dharavi resident and Sprouts News SIT member has revealed that Indian Railways has no surplus land available for rehabilitation under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. This exposes a major flaw in the plan, raising serious concerns about housing rights, project feasibility, and government transparency for affected residents.

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RTI Bombshell: No Railway Land for Dharavi Rehab

A recent RTI response has unveiled a significant obstacle in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project

the unavailability of surplus railway land for resident rehabilitation. This revelation contradicts earlier assurances and raises serious concerns about the project’s feasibility and the future of over a million residents.

Railway Land Constraints Jeopardize Housing Plans

The Indian Railways, in response to an RTI filed by Dharavi resident and Sprouts News SIT member Karunanidhi Kannan, confirmed that all its land is currently operational, leaving no surplus for rehabilitation purposes. This disclosure challenges the project’s foundational premise of utilizing railway land for resettling displaced residents.

Residents Demand Transparency and Clarity

“It’s a clear injustice,” stated Kannan. “How can permanent housing be promised on operational land subject to reclamation? We demand transparency and clarity in the project’s execution.” The lack of available land has intensified concerns among Dharavi’s residents about their future housing and livelihoods.

Legal and Environmental Hurdles Emerge

Further complicating matters, the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) has refused to permit sub-leasing of the designated 47.5 acres of railway land, a critical component for initiating the redevelopment. This legal impasse, coupled with environmental concerns over proposed relocation sites like the Deonar landfill, which may violate Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, adds layers of complexity to the already challenging project.

Calls for Government Accountability Intensify

The Sprouts News SIT has highlighted these issues, emphasizing the need for governmental accountability and adherence to residents’ rights. The project’s progression without clear solutions to land acquisition and legal challenges could lead to further displacement and social unrest.

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Urgent Need for Reassessment

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project faces significant hurdles due to the unavailability of surplus railway land and legal restrictions on land use. These challenges necessitate an urgent reassessment of the project’s plans to ensure the rights and welfare of Dharavi’s residents are upheld.

Railway Land Missing in Dharavi Rehab RTI Exposes Flaw in Dharavi Redevelopment Project

Adani’s Role in Dharavi Sparks Public Outcry

The involvement of the Adani Group in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project has stirred significant controversy, with local residents and activists raising alarms over transparency and land use. Concerns intensified following revelations that land originally designated for community amenities—such as the parking area near the Maharashtra Nature Park—is being handed over for commercial redevelopment under the project. Critics argue that this move undermines the very essence of redevelopment, which should prioritize sustainable urban planning and the welfare of existing communities.

Sprouts News SIT Highlights Flawed Land Allocation

An investigation by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has brought to light potential irregularities in the land transfer process. According to findings, key parcels of land, including environmentally sensitive zones and spaces critical for public access, have been quietly absorbed into the broader Adani-led redevelopment scheme without adequate consultation or environmental clearance. Local leaders and environmental groups have condemned this as a “land grab under the guise of urban transformation,” calling for a judicial review and greater transparency in the project’s implementation.