5 Key Takeaways
- Construction began on October 12, 2026, for 10,432 rehabilitation apartments and 1,379 commercial/industrial units in Matunga for eligible Dharavi residents.
- Eligible households will receive 350-square-foot homes under an in-situ rehabilitation approach intended to preserve community ties and local economic networks.
- The project will have 10 high-rise towers of 37 to 39 storeys, with phased handovers: first five towers by March 2029, next two by August 2029, and final three by August 2030.
- Amenities include a kindergarten, community hall, podium gardens, seating areas, society offices, and places of worship, while 10 percent of commercial space is reserved for maintenance revenue and ANDPL will maintain buildings and shared infrastructure for 10 years after handover.
- The broader Dharavi redevelopment envisions a mixed-use township with essential services within a 15-minute walk, with future attention on execution, prioritized resettlement, livelihood support, and delivery of promised amenities and maintenance commitments.
Construction Begins on 10,432 Homes for Dharavi Residents in Mumbai’s Matunga
October 12, 2026
On Monday, October 12, 2026, a major milestone in Mumbai’s urban transformation was reached when the Adani Group formally began construction on 10,432 rehabilitation apartments for eligible residents of Dharavi. The 22-acre project in Matunga, led by Adani Navbharat Developers Pvt Ltd (ANDPL), will also create 1,379 commercial and industrial units. Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani performed the bhoomi poojan, a traditional ground-breaking ceremony, marking the official start of construction. The first homes are scheduled for handover by March 2029. The event signals a decisive shift from planning to execution for one of India’s most complex urban redevelopment efforts.
In-Situ Rehabilitation for a Dense, Productive Settlement
Dharavi is home to more than one million people and supports a large informal economy, with numerous small-scale manufacturing and commercial enterprises operating within its dense neighbourhoods. The redevelopment aims to upgrade housing and civic infrastructure while accommodating eligible residents and supporting local livelihoods. The project is being implemented by ANDPL, a special purpose vehicle created specifically for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme, eligible residents are rehoused within the redevelopment footprint rather than being displaced to distant parts of the city. This approach is intended to preserve community ties and economic networks while improving living conditions.
“Every family deserves a home where they feel secure and can plan for the future. We know what this means to Dharavi's families. At Matunga, we are building 10 towers with 10,432 homes and 1,379 commercial and industrial units, creating neighbourhoods where families can live better and build a brighter future for their children.”
Housing Entitlements and Phased Resettlement
Each eligible residential household under the in-situ scheme will receive a home measuring 350 square feet. Residents from Sectors 6 and 1 will be among the first to receive homes in Matunga. They will be followed by nearly 4,500 apartments allocated to other eligible Dharavi residents on a priority basis. This phased sequencing is designed to manage the resettlement process carefully while construction continues at the site.
The 10 towers will be handed over to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority, or DRP/SRA, under the Maharashtra government in three stages:
- First five towers: scheduled for handover by March 2029.
- Next two towers: expected by August 2029.
- Remaining three towers: expected by August 2030.
This timeline sets a clear multi-year delivery horizon for the rehabilitation effort and gives eligible families a better sense of when they may move in.
Design, Safety, and Long-Term Upkeep
The physical design of the Matunga project calls for 10 high-rise towers, each ranging from 37 to 39 storeys. Every tower will have 10 to 12 passenger elevators and two dedicated fire elevators, which are critical safety features in high-rise residential buildings. Two additional elevators will serve the commercial and industrial units within the complex. These specifications reflect the density required to house thousands of families while maintaining access, safety and daily convenience.
Planned amenities include a kindergarten, a community hall, podium gardens, seating areas, society offices and places of worship. In a notable financial sustainability measure, 10 per cent of the commercial space in each rehabilitation building will be reserved to generate revenue for maintaining common infrastructure. ANDPL has also committed to maintain the buildings and shared infrastructure for 10 years after handover. This long-term upkeep obligation is intended to prevent the physical decline that can sometimes follow large-scale public housing projects.
“This is an important step for Dharavi's families. Our focus is on providing safe, modern homes with the infrastructure and amenities needed for a better quality of life.”
Global Expertise and Community Engagement
Design and planning for the project draw on a global team of specialists. The list includes US-based planning and design firm Sasaki, UK-based engineering consultancy Buro Happold, Mumbai-based planning firm StudioPOD, architect Hafeez Contractor, P&T and ARC Studio, along with urban-planning experts from Singapore. Their combined expertise is meant to ensure that the redevelopment meets modern standards for livability, safety, accessibility and urban design.
The construction launch follows the inauguration of the Dharavi Experience Centre by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Gandhi Jayanti. Spread across 22,500 square feet, the centre gives residents a preview of the proposed redevelopment through life-size sample homes, a 3D walkthrough and interactive displays. These exhibits showcase housing, workplaces, amenities, transport options and open spaces. The centre was designed to help residents understand what the planned neighbourhoods will look like before they move in.
“The Dharavi Experience Centre gave residents a first look at the planned homes and neighbourhoods. With construction beginning, our focus is on delivery and long-term upkeep. We will maintain each building and its common infrastructure for 10 years after handover.”
Looking Ahead: Execution and Community Impact
The Matunga towers are part of a larger vision for Dharavi. The broader redevelopment plan envisages a mixed-use township with shops, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, places of worship, public transport and other social infrastructure. Essential services are planned to be available within a 15-minute walk, a modern urban-planning principle that reduces reliance on long commutes and improves daily convenience. If executed as planned, the transformation could significantly change living conditions in one of Mumbai’s most important informal settlements.
The start of construction in Matunga moves a long-anticipated project into its delivery phase. The next milestones will be closely watched: the prioritisation of residents from Sectors 6 and 1, the phased transfer of apartments to DRP/SRA, and the handover of the first five towers by March 2029. For the more than one million people who live in Dharavi, the project carries both promise and uncertainty. The challenge ahead lies not just in building towers, but in preserving livelihoods, supporting communities and ensuring that the promised amenities and maintenance commitments are delivered over the long term. The groundwork has now been laid, and attention shifts to execution.
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