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Across several weeks, threatening messages recurred. Originally, supposedly from a former police officer and a former defense officer, later from the authorities. In the end, a local artisan states he was called to law enforcement headquarters and told clearly: remain silent or encounter real trouble.

This third-generation resident is among those fighting a expensive initiative where Dharavi – a massive informal community with rich history – will be demolished and transformed by a large business group.

"The distinctive community of this area is exceptional in the planet," says Shaikh. "However the plan aims to dismantle our way of life and prevent our protests."

Opposing Environments

The dank gullies of Dharavi present a dramatic difference to the soaring skyscrapers and luxury apartments that dominate the area. Dwellings are assembled randomly and often missing basic amenities, unregulated industries emit toxic smoke and the atmosphere is filled with the overpowering odor of uncovered waste channels.

To some, the vision of a renewed Dharavi into a glistening neighborhood of high-end towers, organized recreational areas, modern retail complexes and apartments with proper sanitation is an optimistic future come true.

"We lack adequate medical facilities, proper streets or drainage and there's nowhere for kids to enjoy," says A Selvin Nadar, in his fifties, who migrated from Tamil Nadu in the early eighties. "The sole solution is to demolish everything and build us new homes."

Resident Opposition

Yet certain residents, including Shaikh, are fighting against the plan.

None deny that Dharavi, long neglected as an illegal encroachment, is desperately requiring investment and development. However they are concerned that this plan – absent of community input – might transform premium city property into a luxury development, displacing the marginalized, immigrant populations who have lived there since generations ago.

These were these shunned, displaced people who developed the vacant wetlands into an extensively researched phenomenon of community resilience and commercial output, whose economic value is estimated at between a significant amount and two million dollars annually, making it a major unregulated sectors.

Displacement Concerns

Of the roughly 1 million people living in the packed 220-hectare area, less than 50% will be qualified for new homes in the project, which is expected to take a significant period to accomplish. Additional residents will be relocated to barren areas and saline fields on the remote edges of the metropolis, threatening to fragment a historic community. Some will receive no housing at all.

Those allowed to continue living in Dharavi will be allocated flats in multi-story structures, a substantial change from the natural, communal way of living and working that has maintained Dharavi for so long.

Industries from clothing production to ceramic crafts and material recovery are likely to reduce in scale and be transferred to an allocated "commercial zone" separated from homes.

Livelihood Crisis

For those such as the leather artisan, a craftsman and long-time resident to live in Dharavi, the redevelopment presents a survival challenge. His informal, three-storey operation creates apparel – formal jackets, luxury coats, decorated jackets – sold in luxury boutiques in upscale neighborhoods and overseas.

Relatives dwells in the spaces below and his workers and sewers – workers from different regions – reside in the same building, enabling him to afford their labour. Beyond Dharavi's enclave, housing costs are frequently significantly more expensive for a single room.

Harassment and Intimidation

In the official facilities nearby, a conceptual model of the transformation initiative depicts a contrasting outlook. Fashionable residents gather on bicycles and electric vehicles, purchasing continental baguettes and croissants and enlisting beverages on a patio outside Dharavi Cafe and treat station. This represents a complete departure from the inexpensive idli sambar breakfast and 5-rupee chai that supports local residents.

"This is not development for residents," states Shaikh. "This constitutes a huge property transaction that will price people out for our community to continue."

There is also distrust of the business conglomerate. Headed by a prominent businessman – among the country's wealthiest and a close ally of the government head – the business group has faced accusations of favoritism and questionable practices, which it disputes.

While local authorities labels it a partnership, the business group paid nearly a billion dollars for its majority share. A case stating that the initiative was questionably assigned to the business group is being considered in India's supreme court.

Sustained Harassment

After they started to vocally oppose the redevelopment, local opponents assert they have been experienced a long-running campaign of coercion and warning – involving messages, clear intimidation and implications that criticizing the project was comparable with anti-national sentiment – by people they allege work for the business conglomerate.

Part of the group suspected of issuing the threats is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c