Mumbai:

Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL) has rebranded itself as Navbharat Mega Developers Private Ltd (NMDPL) – matching with the company’s promise of building a modern, inclusive and vibrant community, it was announced on Saturday.

The initiative is not just to change the name DRPPL but also to avoid being mistaken for the government authority in the same space, which is DRP (Dharavi Redevelopment Authority), the special planning authority of the state government dealing with Dharavi’s redevelopment.

“The role of the Maharashtra Government remains unchanged and DRP continues to be the supervising authority for the ambitious project,” said the company.

The name Navbharat Mega Developers is rooted in the company’s commitment to growth, change and hope, and the rebranding exercise that has received the affirmation of its Board of Directors and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

NMDPL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed as a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group.

“This change reflects the company’s fresh outlook and obligation to creating a broader and brighter future for everyone associated with or beneficiary of the gigantic and historic task of rehabilitating slums across the nation,” said NMDPL.

The name Navbharat, which means “New India,” reflects the massive potential this project holds in shaping a better tomorrow.

On the other hand, Mega highlights the sheer scale and impact of the work being undertaken, while Developers points to the role the company intends to play in building a thriving community.

“As India works towards its ambitious goal of becoming slum-free, Dharavi’s redevelopment is a crucial step in that direction. With this new name, NMDPL is reaffirming its pledge to the national cause,” it noted.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is unique because there will be no financial burden on the residents. The state government has decided to provide free housing to eligible residents of Dharavi.

Additionally, the government is committed to offering affordable housing to ineligible residents under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or through a hire-purchase scheme – all designed to offer maximum benefits at the most affordable rates.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

Mumbai:

Dharavi Social Mission (DSM), a social initiative under Dharavi Redevelopment Project, organized a stress management workshop at Maharashtra Nature Park. The event evoked enthusiastic participation from Dharavi residents, who were equipped with valuable strategies to navigate their daily mental health challenges more effectively.

Hundreds of Dharavikars learnt practical tools to handle stress and lead a healthier and balanced lifestyle at the workshop, held on November 30, 2024. The DSM organised workshop offered a holistic mix of expert-led discussions, interactive exercises, and mindfulness techniques.

For many participants, the session was a transformative experience. “The practices like deep breathing and mindfulness introduced during the workshop are helping me in my daily life,” shared 45-year-old Sangeeta Manohar Khade. “I have started practicing them regularly and believe they will help me manage stress better in the long run.”

Dharavikars are no strangers to hardship. Living in one of the most densely populated areas of Mumbai, they face challenges ranging from economic uncertainty to overcrowding and limited personal space. Amid these pressures, stress becomes a constant companion, often unacknowledged and unresolved.

Mental health awareness remains a relatively new concept in Dharavi, where daily survival often takes precedence over emotional well-being. For many, this was their first encounter with formal stress-management techniques, and the impact was immediate and profound.

Seema Pakhare, 45 and a resident of PMGP Colony said, “I cried during the meditation course and felt lighter afterward. It reminded me how important it is to take five minutes for ourselves-to sit in silence, remember the almighty, and be grateful.”

Santosh Agavne, another local, said, “The techniques were explained very well. I have already started applying them to reduce stress in daily life. I will recommend this workshop at my workplace as well, as we all need such sessions.”

About Dharavi Social Mission:

Dharavi Social Mission (DSM) is a flagship initiative of Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), dedicated to fostering wholesome development of Dharavi residents encompassing social, economic and infrastructure dimensions. The Mission has special emphasis towards youth, women, industries and underprivileged groups within Dharavi. Focus of efforts is to enhance skill-based employment, education, healthcare & hygiene, social engagement and community welfare.

Dharavi Social Mission is committed to improve total quality of life of community, empower individuals, grow sustainable livelihoods thereby create a brighter, more resilient and inclusive future for all. Purpose oriented Mission strives to work towards growing long-term and sustainable, socio-economic capabilities of individuals and groups for a self-reliant eco system.

Mumbai:

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), the firm redeveloping Asia’s largest slums, on Thursday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan) of the Dharavi redevelopment project at the RPF grounds in Matunga.

The pooja, conducted in an area called Sector 6, marks the auspicious beginning of the construction of the Railway’s staff quarters and offices to be handed over to the government, as mandated in the Dharavi Redevelopment tender documents, sources said.

Already, the state government-led door-to-door survey to determine eligible and ineligible residents is on with an idea to speed up the redevelopment and to ensure inclusive development.

The DRPPL, which is a joint venture between the state government and the Adani Group, has also moved in the direction envisaged by the Maharashtra government, which is on a mission to make Mumbai a slum-free city by 2030.

Mapping the roughly 600 acres of densely populated Dharavi is crucial for the redevelopment that is likely to take seven years to complete. Eligible residents will get a 350-square-foot flat in the area once the project is completed, while ineligible residents will be rehoused elsewhere in Mumbai. It is the Maharashtra government’s first-ever policy where everyone, whether eligible or ineligible will get home.

A DRPPL source said that Thursday’s ceremony was in keeping with the tender conditions and also the first step in the group’s commitment to create a modern Dharavi.

“We are redeveloping one of the most densely populated clusters in the world. We have committed to providing Dharavikars with a ‘key to key’ exchange wherein existing residents have been guaranteed new homes within a stipulated timeframe and without shifting to temporary accommodation,” the source said.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project will put India on a global map when it comes to resettling townships.

Residents will be given 350 sq ft modern homes with a kitchen and a toilet and will have access to amenities such as top-class roads, hospitals, schools, open spaces, etc. These homes are 17 per cent extra than any other slum rehabilitation project in Mumbai.

The ineligible residents have been classified into two sub-categories: those from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2011, will be given homes on an ownership basis at affordable prices.

The post-2011 tenement holders will be given homes under the state government’s affordable rental housing policy with an option of hire-purchase. The ineligible residents will be housed in modern townships that will be created in Mumbai.

A DRPPL source said, “These new townships will be ultra-modern townships equipped with schools, hospitals, gardens and good roads.” It is pertinent to note that all eligible, non-polluting industries and commercial establishments will be rehabilitated in Dharavi itself.

A state government source said that the DRPPL was exploring every possible option to protect livelihoods and businesses.

“Better infrastructure will enable businesses to expand their enterprises while skilling and upskilling centres will help people acquire new knowledge, learn, and increase their earning potential. Additionally, businesses will benefit from SGST reimbursement for five years, further supporting their growth and sustainability,” a DRPPL source said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)