Kurla Residents opposes the move of relocating Dharavi Tenants to Nehru Nagar

Hundreds of residents from Kurla East staged a large protest against the state government’s decision to relocate Dharavi tenants to a 21-acre plot in Nehru Nagar. The land, originally owned by Mother Dairy, was handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and later transferred to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). 

Located near the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, the plot has become a point of contention for locals, who oppose the rehabilitation of ineligible Dharavi residents in the area. On Thursday, despite heavy protests, the city survey office marked the plot boundaries. Residents demanded the land be used as a green zone or open space to address Kurla's congestion issues. 

Similar opposition was seen last week in Madh-Marve and Malvani, where locals stopped surveys of government land designated for Dharavi redevelopment. 

The Kurla protest, organized by local NGO Lok Chalwal, drew over 500 participants. Protesters accused MLA Mangesh Kudalkar and former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of breaking their promise to create a botanical garden on the land. 

"If this redevelopment happens, the population in the area will rise by 30,000 to 35,000, putting immense pressure on the already overstretched infrastructure," said Kiran Pailwan of Lok Chalwal. The protest, which saw significant involvement from women, was supported by MP Varsha Gaikwad and Former Corporator Pravina Morajkar. Some protesters were briefly detained by the police. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the government, accusing it of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare.