Mumbai’s Dharavi, often described as one of Asia’s largest informal settlements, is once again at the centre of attention as redevelopment plans gather momentum under a major urban transformation project. Despite cramped living conditions and fragile infrastructure, many shanties in Dharavi command rents reaching several lakh rupees, revealing the area’s surprising economic value. Its strategic location near key business districts, dense commercial activity, and thriving informal industries have turned the settlement into what some observers call a “gutter of gold.”

The redevelopment initiative aims to replace existing structures with planned housing, improved sanitation, and modern infrastructure while integrating residents into formal urban systems. However, the project also raises concerns about displacement, livelihood continuity, and maintaining Dharavi’s unique ecosystem of small-scale enterprises that sustain thousands of families.

Experts note that Dharavi’s high property demand reflects Mumbai’s severe land scarcity and soaring real-estate prices rather than improved living standards. As redevelopment progresses, balancing modernization with social equity will remain a critical challenge. The project ultimately represents a larger question facing Indian cities — how to transform informal settlements without erasing the economic networks that make them resilient and productive.