Dharavi Redevelopment Project tightens housing rules for upper-floor residents
New rules under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) have set clear conditions for upper-floor residents seeking housing benefits. Their eligibility now depends on the status of ground-floor occupants in the same building. Officials have also outlined strict documentation requirements to prevent multiple claims and ensure fairness in allocations. The policy establishes a hierarchy for verifying eligibility, with affidavits treated as the least reliable form of proof. Upper-floor residents can submit these affidavits only if the ground-floor household in their building qualifies. Each affidavit must also be certified by an eligible ground-floor resident.
Upper-floor applicants have two options for securing a home. They can either choose a 300 sq ft unit outside Dharavi but within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region under a hire-purchase scheme or opt for early ownership by paying a fixed, pre-approved amount. However, the rules explicitly bar multiple claims from family members, including spouses or children, ensuring just one home per household. The policy further disqualifies any applicant who already owns property under other housing schemes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. If the ground-floor household fails to meet eligibility criteria, all upper-floor residents relying on affidavits linked to that unit will automatically lose their claim. Alternatively, upper-floor households can submit separate documentation or file collectively, provided the ground-floor unit remains certified.
The revised guidelines aim to streamline allocations while preventing misuse of the scheme. Upper-floor residents now face stricter checks, with their eligibility tied directly to ground-floor compliance. Those who qualify will receive housing either through a payment plan or outright purchase, but only if they meet all conditions and lack existing property in the region.
