Devendra Fadnavis cut the ribbon on Friday, October 2, marking Gandhi Jayanti with the launch of a 22,500-square-foot Experience Centre dedicated to the Dharavi redevelopment project. The facility sits at the heart of the 600-acre slum, offering residents a tangible preview of the massive urban transformation underway. It’s not just a brochure; it’s a physical space where the abstract becomes concrete.
Inside, visitors walk through life-size mockups of the proposed 350-square-foot rehabilitation units and 500-square-foot renewal apartments. A 3D walkthrough maps out the integrated township, from the Multimodal Transport Hub to the rejuvenated Mithi River. Adani Navbharat Developers, the project’s lead, released an anthem titled 'A New Tomorrow' alongside a coffee-table book celebrating the neighborhood’s entrepreneurial spirit. The move signals a shift from digital renders to physical engagement with the community.
The redevelopment plan aims to preserve the tight link between homes and livelihoods that defines Dharavi’s economy. It includes plans for 40,000 new trees, a 3.3-kilometer public riverfront, and upgraded schools and healthcare facilities. Project authorities emphasize that the current layout will be integrated, not erased. This is a critical distinction for a community where work and life are inextricably bound.
Digital displays and assisted services at the centre will guide residents through surveys, eligibility checks, and documentation. It’s a proactive step to address the bureaucratic hurdles that often stall mega-redevelopment projects. By giving people a clear path forward, the state aims to build trust before the first excavator enters the site. The next phase involves detailed site surveys, with the full experience centre expected to remain open for public feedback in the coming months.