After two failed attempts in getting developers for Dharavi, the state government is going to change norms of tender so developers can come forward.
After two failed attempts in getting developers for Dharavi, the state government is going to change norms of tender so developers can come forward.
A meeting in this regard will be convened by housing minister Prakash Mehta this month end.
The state government on January 30, 2016, had floated global tenders of Rs 22,000 crore after dividing the 557-acre plot into five sectors for redevelopment for which it had opened the bids on April 20, where it did not find any takers. The government was compelled to give an extension by further opening the bids up to May 5, which did not yield any takers either.
“Yes, it is sad that the developers did not come forward for the redevelopment of Dharavi. I have asked the officials to find out the difficulties in getting the developers. We have to take some measures if (we’re) not getting the desired response for the redevelopment,” Mr Mehta said.
The minister also hinted at self-development by the residents themselves.
“Another problem with Dharavi is the population is very dense and developers find it difficult to rehabilitate everyone. We will discuss the issue with the officials to ensure smooth process of redevelopment,” the minister added.
The developers have demanded that extra Floor Space Index (FSI) in terms of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) be allowed in the island city over the existing norms of suburbs, on which the government is yet to take a call.
The state government has also blamed the real estate market situation, which is bad presently. “No one is ready to invest the huge amount,” an official from the housing department said.
A section of people living in Dharavi had protested against redevelopment and demanded that every chawl and building resident be given 750 square feet against the actual 405 square feet in case of sector one and 350 square feet for the remaining three sectors, which according to state government officials also showed the proposed redevelopment in a bad light.
