July 20th 2023.
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson once listed two places in India that he wished to visit: the Taj Mahal and Dharavi. I had my first experience of Dharavi in the late 1970s when I had just arrived in Mumbai. The bustling city seemed to be full of opportunity, and I had high hopes of success for myself.
Dharavi was a melting pot of different cultures and beliefs from all over India. It was fascinating to me; in the streets and alleys, all sorts of languages were echoing with equal urgency. There was a unique order in the chaos that I could never define, but I could feel it.
My initial visit was both inspiring and disheartening. The inhabitants of Dharavi were struggling to survive, yet they seemed to have a quiet equanimity and happiness that was humbling to witness. But the question lingered in my mind: would their fate ever change?
Today, when I look at Dharavi sprawled out below the Mumbai Airport, I am just as amazed as I was decades ago. It is a reminder of the incredible human capacity to adapt, as well as a harsh reminder of the squalor that many of its residents live in.
When I was presented with the opportunity to help bring a new Dharavi into being, I jumped at the chance. It was personal for me, as it was a chance to make up for the initial impression I had of Mumbai. I was so eager to be a part of this project that we bid 2.5 times higher than the next highest bidder.
We are about to embark on a journey that is completely uncharted. This is one of the world's largest urban regeneration projects, with nearly a million people being resettled. Not only will the people of Dharavi be rehomed, but the entire business ecosystem that exists there will also be rehabilitated and rehoused. The project is unique in that it also caters to those who are ineligible for resettlement.
I am determined to make this a human-centric transformation, and to ensure that the people of Dharavi have a say in shaping their new homes. They will be provided with amenities like gas, water, electricity, sanitation, and healthcare, and will have access to a world-class hospital and school.
I also intend to introduce modern jobs and businesses to Dharavi, with a special focus on youth and women. We will create a variety of training centres, R&D centres, and MSME help desks that will help to support and strengthen existing micro enterprises and small industries.
This is not the first time the Dharavi project has been attempted, and this time, thanks to the changes made to the tender design, we were able to ensure the success of the project. The support of the successive state governments and political parties of Maharashtra, along with the present central government, who provided railway land, was invaluable.
My team and I are aware that this is a massive undertaking that will test our resilience and our execution skills. But I'm confident that with the help of all stakeholders, we will be able to create a new Dharavi that will make Mumbai and India proud. When Mike Tyson comes to visit again, he may not recognise Dharavi, but I am sure he will still find its soul just as spirited and alive as ever. Perhaps Dharavi will even be producing millionaires without the slumdog prefix.
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