Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Dharavi is a centre for economic activity and cannot be viewed as a slum alone, and stressed that its redevelopment project will not be successful if its nature is changed.

Speaking at an event in the city, Fadnavis said if one looks at Maharashtra, there are three to four cities that have a population of over 10 lakh. Dharavi alone has a population of 10 lakh. Redeveloping Dharavi means building a new city, he said. Fadnavis said that when the government decided to redevelop Dharavi, it was decided that housing would be provided to all.

If ineligible people are removed, it will lead to another slum. The ineligible will be given houses under rental accommodation, and ownership of the house will be transferred in their name in 12 years, he said. “We are rehabilitating eligible people in the same locality and giving them all amenities. Dharavi cannot be viewed as a slum. It is a centre for economic activity. The economic activities that go on in Dharavi do not probably happen in an industrial cluster,” the CM said.