need for
redevelopment
dharavi: industrial innovation amidst adversities
Leather has long been a cornerstone of Dharavi’s economy, with the first tannery established in 1887 by Tamil Nadu migrants. Although tanning was banned in 1996 due to pollution concerns, leading to a shift to Deonar, the leather industry remains vibrant. Communities from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra dominate the trade, sourcing surplus leather from Chennai and Kanpur. Dharavi produces a wide range of leather goods—wallets, bags, belts, jackets, shoes, hats, and more—which are sold locally along 90 Feet Road, across Mumbai, on e-commerce platforms, and even exported internationally
The decline of Mumbai’s textile industry in the 1950s–60s paved the way for the rise of Dharavi’s garment industry, which is now spread across different areas based on product types—Kelabakhar for hosiery tracks and T-shirts, and Khambdev for kurtas and pyjamas. Other garments like jeans and shirts are also produced locally or in nearby areas. Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala form the backbone of this industry. Raw materials such as cloth are sourced from Surat, while threads and zips are available within Dharavi. These garments are sold through local street retailers, wholesalers, and are also exported internationally.
Migrant potters from Saurashtra, Gujarat, established Kumbharwada (Potters’ Colony) in Dharavi on about 12.5 acres at the junction of 90 and 60 Feet Roads. Each home in this area doubles as a workplace, typically featuring a pottery kiln (individual or shared) and a shop facing the street. The clay used is sourced from Gujarat, and the finished pottery primarily serves a local clientele, unlike other Dharavi industries. The highest concentration of pottery shops is along 90 Feet Road, and women in the community often contribute by adding decorative coatings or paint to the products
dharavi: a tapestry of traditional industries
and migrant enterprise
Dharavi’s plastic recycling industry plays a crucial role in managing Mumbai’s waste, recycling nearly 80% of the city’s plastic. Ragpickers collect garbage across Mumbai, which is then sorted in Dharavi’s recycling units. Plastics are segregated by hardness, crushed into chips, and sold across the city for reuse in manufacturing. Additionally, Dharavi hosts an aluminium brick-making industry, where metal waste is melted down to produce aluminium bricks.
Dharavi’s food production sector is a vital part of its local economy, with numerous small-scale and home-based units crafting traditional Indian snacks and baked goods. Items like papad, khari biscuits, butter biscuits, fresh buns, farsan, and idlis are made using time-honored methods in compact spaces, often by family-run businesses. These products serve both local markets and broader city-wide distribution, reaching roadside stalls, restaurants, and caterers across Mumbai.
In Dharavi, embroidery work is a significant craft, with young boys from Bengal and Bihar specializing in hand embroidery and zardozi, creating intricate designs on garments and decorative textiles from workshops or their homes. In contrast, machine embroidery is predominantly handled by the Bengali community, using semi-automated or computerized machines for faster, bulk production. This division reflects Dharavi’s blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, driven by regional expertise and a migration-based workforce
why dharavi is in critical need for redevelopment?
- Lack of Quality Education: Establish well-equipped institutions to provide equal opportunities for youth.
- No Fire Safety: Implement proper fire norms; widen access routes for emergency services.
- Limited Green & Recreational Spaces: Create open areas and playgrounds for community well-being.
- Shortage of Essential Amenities: Improve access to clean public toilets, reliable healthcare, and basic services.
- Unsafe Infrastructure: Ensure structurally sound and secure living and working environments.