Dharavi redevelopment Bhoomi Poojan: 10,432 homes to rise at Matunga
Synopsis
After years of planning and controversy, Dharavi's physical transformation has finally begun. The Bhoomi Poojan at Matunga on 12 October 2026 sets a concrete clock ticking: 10,432 rehabilitation apartments across 10 high-rise towers, with the first handover due March 2029 — a test of whether India's most-watched slum redevelopment can deliver on its promise to one million residents.
Key Takeaways
Bhoomi Poojan for Dharavi rehabilitation was performed on 12 October 2026 at the 22-acre Matunga railway site in Mumbai.
AEL Director Pranav Adani led the groundbreaking ceremony; project is executed by SPV Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL) .
10 towers of 37–39 storeys will deliver 10,432 rehabilitation apartments and 1,379 commercial/industrial units .
Eligible residents receive 350 sq ft modern homes free of cost under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme.
Three-phase delivery: first 5 towers by March 2029 , next 2 by August 2029 , remaining 3 by August 2030 .
ANDPL will maintain buildings and shared infrastructure for 10 years after handover.
The long-awaited rehabilitation of Dharavi — one of Asia's largest informal settlements — formally broke ground on Monday, 12 October 2026, as Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) Director Pranav Adani performed the Bhoomi Poojan at the 22-acre Matunga railway site in Mumbai. The ceremony marks the first physical construction milestone of a project that promises modern housing for over one million residents, according to an Adani Group release.
What Is Being Built at Matunga
The Matunga site will feature 10 towers, each ranging from 37 to 39 storeys, delivering 10,432 rehabilitation apartments and 1,379 commercial and industrial units. Eligible residents will receive 350 sq ft modern homes under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme at no cost. Each tower will be equipped with 10 to 12 passenger elevators, two dedicated fire elevators, and two additional lifts for commercial and industrial spaces.
Amenities planned across the towers include kindergartens, community halls, podium gardens, sit-out areas, society offices, and places of worship. Notably, 10% of commercial spaces within each rehabilitation building will be reserved to generate sustainable revenue for maintaining common infrastructure.
Delivery Timeline and Phasing
Construction will proceed in three distinct phases: the first five towers are scheduled for handover by March 2029; the next two towers by August 2029; and the remaining three towers by August 2030. All towers will be handed over to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) under the Maharashtra state government. Eligible residents from Sectors 6 and 1 of Dharavi will be the first to receive their new homes at Matunga, followed by nearly 4,500 apartments prioritised for other eligible Dharavi residents.
ANDPL CEO Anil Sardana said: '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.'
The SPV Behind the Project
The project is being spearheaded by Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed through a partnership between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group. The groundbreaking was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, Aseem Kumar Gupta, and DRP/SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar.
'This is an important step for Dharavi families. Our focus is on providing safe, modern homes with infrastructure and amenities needed for a better quality of life,' Kalyankar said.
Pranav Adani said at the ceremony: 'Every family deserves a home where they feel secure and can plan for the future. We know what this means to Dharavi families.'
World-Class Design and Long-Term Vision
The project draws on a consortium of international and domestic expertise, including US-based design firm Sasaki, UK-based engineering consultancy Buro Happold, Mumbai-based urban planners StudioPOD, and renowned architects Hafeez Contractor, P&T, and ARC Studio, alongside urban planning experts from Singapore.
This comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Dharavi Experience Centre on Gandhi Jayanti. Spanning 22,500 sq ft, the centre allows residents to walk through life-size sample homes, 3D walkthroughs, and interactive exhibits covering future housing, workspaces, and transport. Ultimately, the redevelopment aims to transform Dharavi into a sustainable, mixed-use township with schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and public transport accessible within a 15-minute walk. ANDPL will also handle the maintenance of buildings and shared infrastructure for the first 10 years post-handover, a commitment designed to prevent the decay that has plagued earlier slum rehabilitation projects across Mumbai.
Point of View
And breaking ground does not automatically resolve the deep anxieties of residents over eligibility cutoffs, the adequacy of 350 sq ft homes, and the long-term governance of the SPV. The phased handover schedule stretching to August 2030 means that nearly four years of execution risk lie ahead, in a city with a poor track record on slum rehabilitation timelines. The 10-year maintenance commitment from ANDPL is a meaningful departure from past SRA projects that deteriorated quickly, but it shifts long-term accountability onto a private concessionaire — a governance model that will need robust oversight. The real measure of this project's success will not be the towers themselves, but whether the million-plus residents of Dharavi end up better housed, economically undiminished, and genuinely included.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Dharavi Bhoomi Poojan on 12 October 2026?
AEL Director Pranav Adani performed the Bhoomi Poojan — a traditional groundbreaking ritual — at the 22-acre Matunga railway site in Mumbai on 12 October 2026, marking the official start of construction for the Dharavi rehabilitation project. The ceremony was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Kumar Gupta and DRP/SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar.
How many homes will be built in the Dharavi redevelopment project?
The Matunga site alone will deliver 10,432 rehabilitation apartments across 10 towers, along with 1,379 commercial and industrial units. Eligible residents will receive 350 sq ft modern homes at no cost under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme.
When will Dharavi residents get their new homes?
Construction is planned in three phases: the first five towers by March 2029, the next two by August 2029, and the remaining three by August 2030. Residents from Sectors 6 and 1 of Dharavi will be the first to receive homes at the Matunga site.
Who is responsible for building and maintaining the Dharavi rehabilitation towers?
The project is executed by Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL), a special purpose vehicle formed between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group. ANDPL will also maintain all buildings and shared infrastructure for 10 years after handover.
What is the broader vision for the Dharavi redevelopment?
The project aims to transform Dharavi into a sustainable, mixed-use township with schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and public transport accessible within a 15-minute walk. It leverages design and engineering expertise from international firms including Sasaki (US), Buro Happold (UK), and urban planners from Singapore.
