After getting zero response despite giving four extensions for the redevelopment of Dharavi, the state government has scrapped the tendering process for the revamp and is now considering other options
After getting zero response despite giving four extensions for the redevelopment of Dharavi, the state government has scrapped the tendering process for the revamp and is now considering other options.
One of the options the government is considering is that of handing over the redevelopment of Asia’s largest slum cluster to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
A senior state government official said, “We did not receive any bids till 3 pm on Saturday and now, after four extensions, we can say that the bidding process is completed and there would be no extension for bidding further. The housing ministry is considering various options and handing over the project for redevelopment to the SRA is one of it.”
According to the tentative plan, slum clusters will be handed over to the SRA and residents of chawls and buildings can self-redevelop the structures.
The state government had extended the bidding dates four times, citing zero response.
There are over 57,000 slum structures, housing a population of over 3.5 lakh and the slum clusters were divided into five sectors. While sector five is already being redeveloped by the Mahahrashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA) was formed for the remaining four sectors, namely 1,2,3 and 4.
The state government on January 30, 2016, had floated global tenders of Rs 22,000 crore, for which it had opened the bids on March 20, 2016. However, it did not find any takers, after which four extensions were given.
The developers had 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 at present in bad shape.
