One of the World’s Richest Men to Transform India’s Biggest Slum

When Masoom Ali Shaikh arrived in Mumbai in 1974, the area where he set up shop was a mere swamp, a creek with no proper road and garbage strewn around. 

Over the past fifty years, that swampy patch has evolved into Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums and a thriving industrial hub in India's financial capital.

Dharavi, famously depicted in the 2008 Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire," is a bustling maze of small businesses ranging from bakeries to butchers to barbers. 

These enterprises serve approximately one million residents living in tightly packed buildings and narrow alleys. 

Many residents are migrants and artisans who brought their crafts from their home states, establishing businesses that collectively generate an estimated annual turnover of over $1 billion.

Shaikh is among these residents. After moving to Dharavi from Uttar Pradesh, he founded a shoe-making business, which has supported his family for years, allowing him to open a second store for his daughter.

However, the livelihoods of many residents like Shaikh are now at risk as Dharavi faces a significant transformation, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group. 

This redevelopment plan follows several previous failed attempts, hampered by the slum's scale, density, and high-value land in central Mumbai.

Despite Dharavi's bustling economy, the area is plagued by extreme overcrowding and poor sanitation. Many residents lack access to running water or clean toilets, resulting in various health problems. Poor ventilation and pollution from nearby workshops exacerbate the living conditions.

Adani, who briefly overtook Jeff Bezos as the world’s second-wealthiest person in 2022, sees this redevelopment as a "historic opportunity" to create a new Dharavi marked by dignity, safety, and inclusiveness. He 

However, reactions to Adani's plan are mixed. While some residents hope for change, others remain sceptical, having heard similar promises. Protests have erupted, with demonstrators fearing the redevelopment could jeopardise their homes and businesses.

Shaikh, for one, is wary of the changes. "When redevelopment happens, the only thing I want is to be relocated to the same place," he explained. He fears being moved elsewhere would destroy his business, as his vendors and buyers would not know his new location, leading to a loss of livelihood.

As Dharavi stands on the brink of transformation, its residents are caught between the promise of a better future and the fear of losing the community and businesses they have built over decades.
Source: CNN