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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming elections, Dharavi residents expressed their staunch support for Congress
NEW DELHI: As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming elections,a Dharavi resident, Muhammad Shahidre Alam, speaking to The New Indian, expressed his staunch support for Congress, which has been in power in the area for the last two decades, primarily under the leadership of the Gaikwad family.
“I want Congress to win again this time,” he shared, underscoring that, under Congress’s rule, residents like him have managed to secure livelihoods and enjoy essential services.
“All the facilities of water and electricity are provided well under Congress. A middle-class person like me can earn and make a living,” he added, emphasizing that Shiv Sena’s Mahayuti coalition would not be welcomed in Dharavi. “Nobody can take Dharavi from us,” he asserted with a sense of pride and resistance.
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The Dharavi redevelopment project has emerged as a contentious topic, igniting strong opinions among residents of the sprawling slum. The project, handed to the Adani Group, has not been met with universal approval, with many Dharavi locals voicing concerns over what lies ahead if the ruling party changes.
Another resident Chintamani, voiced similar sentiments, hailing the efforts of Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad, who he credited with significant development in the area. “Varsha Tai has done very well for Dharavi’s people. Many improvements have been made,” he said, expressing satisfaction with the Gaikwad family’s tenure.
According to him, other political parties focus on self-enrichment, leaving residents’ concerns behind. “We are satisfied with the Gaikwad family and want Jyoti Tai to come and rule,” he concluded.
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Dharavi, a 590-acre informal settlement in Mumbai, has transformed from a 19th-century fishing village into a densely packed hub of small industries and diverse communities. Despite its economic importance, nearly a million residents live in poor conditions, facing limited sanitation and water access.
Dharavi’s redevelopment was stalled for nearly two decades due to political shifts, funding issues, and property rights complexities. In 2018, Dubai-based Seclink Technologies won a Rs 7,200 crore bid, but delays led to its cancellation. Now, with renewed backing from the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis, the project is finally moving forward under the Adani Group.
