Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday gave his nod to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRPL) master plan that aims to change one of Asia’s largest slums into a modern, sustainable neighbourhood. The plan was presented to Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and senior IAS officials during a high-level meeting held at the Maharashtra government’s Sahyadri Guest House at Malabar Hill. Fadnavis asserted that the redevelopment should be carried out in an environment-friendly and integrated manner.

In the meeting on Wednesday, Fadnavis instructed that redevelopment should be implemented while preserving the commercial identity of the area. “The agencies concerned should coordinate to ensure this key element is given priority during the development,” the CM said. Aware of the local and political opposition to the project, the CM emphasised on carrying out activities in a coordinated manner, while keeping public sentiment at the centre and local people in confidence. Dy CM Eknath Shinde directed the departments concerned to promptly secure the necessary approvals for the project.

Construction for Dharavi’s project-affected people near the salt pan land in Mulund East. File Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi