by Dharavi slum..before understanding this lets focus on two sides of mumbai, Mumbai is a city whose name probably many of us have heard, and it is the city that contributes around 6-7% to India’s GDP. This city has two parts: one side is home to the headquarters of big companies, stores, Bollywood stars, and numerous sectors that make Mumbai quite wealthy. On the other hand, there is a sector that represents the lower-middle class.
We are talking about Dharavi Slum, which is one of Asia’s largest slums. Here, you will see everything that you may have never experienced before. If you want to see what it means to compromise or adjust, you can come here. If you want to understand how the middle class or lower-middle-class families live in Mumbai, you can come here.
The total area of Dharavi is 590 acres, and around 1 million people currently live here. Dharavi is also referred to as Asia’s most densely populated area. In 200 to 250 square feet of space families of 7-8 people live. The structure is highly congested, and on its narrow streets, only one person might be able to cross at a time. Cars are out of the question, and sometimes sunlight barely reaches the ground.
One side of Mumbai has everything: good water, food, and a good lifestyle, but for the people of Dharavi, all these things are like a dream.
You might wonder what these people do to survive or earn a living. Given the vast size of this slum, people work in various fields. The largest industry here is recycling, as Mumbai’s plastic waste is mostly recycled here. Around 20-25% of the population in Dharavi is involved in the recycling industry. Other major industries include:
- Pottery and Clay Works: 10-12%
- Leather Industry: 20%
- Garments: 20-30%
- Small-Scale Manufacturing: 15%
- Bakery Products: 15%
These industries are key to the livelihood of Dharavi residents.
The products made here are widely sold, both in the local market and online, at good values. You might be surprised to know that the things made here can be found in stores and marketplaces across Mumbai, and even globally.
Talking about the cost of living, the rent for a 250-300 sq. feet room is around ₹8,000-10,000 per month. You can imagine how people adjust to living under such conditions. The more adjustment, the more problems arise. The Maharashtra Government pays significant attention to the slum, whether it’s about infections or emergencies. Infections and flu are quite common here.
The average life expectancy in Dharavi is reported to be under 60, which is very low due to their living conditions. Around 77% of the homes here have contaminated water supply. And respiratory disorders like asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis are common.
Given the size of Dharavi, the crime rate is also high. Almost no crime is unheard of here. Due to overcrowding and the mix of various cultures, crime rates are reported to be much higher. Common crimes include:
- Theft and Pickpocketing
- Gang Violence
- Drug Trafficking
- Robbery
- Street Fights and Public Brawls
And most of the drugs and alcohol addicts are here in Dharavi Slum, According to sources, 78.2% of males and 28.2% of females consume drugs here, while 46.5% of people consume alcohol.
Recently, the government has taken a positive initiative. The Adani Group is planning a ₹23,000 crore Dharavi redevelopment project, which will allocate flats to residents of the slum. If this happens, Dharavi will soon be redeveloped, and people will get relief from the ongoing crimes, adjustments, and health issues.
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