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Over an extended period, coercive communications recurred. At first, reportedly from a retired cop and an ex-military commander, and then from the authorities. Ultimately, Mohammad Khurshid Shaikh claims he was summoned to law enforcement headquarters and told clearly: stop speaking out or face serious consequences.

Shaikh is among those resisting a high-value initiative where this historic settlement – an iconic Mumbai neighborhood – faces demolished and redeveloped by a corporate giant.

"The unique ecosystem of this area is unparalleled in the globe," explains the resident. "But their intention is to dismantle our way of life and silence our voices."

Opposing Environments

The narrow alleys of the slum stand in sharp opposition to the towering buildings and elite residences that dominate the area. Residences are built haphazardly and typically without proper sanitation, informal businesses release harmful emissions and the atmosphere is permeated by the overpowering odor of uncovered waste channels.

To some, the promise of the slum's redevelopment into a developed area of high-end towers, neat parks, modern retail complexes and residences with multiple bathrooms is a hopeful vision achieved.

"There's no proper healthcare, roads or sewage systems and there's nowhere for kids to enjoy," explains a tea vendor, fifty-six, who moved from Tamil Nadu in that period. "The sole solution is to tear it all down and construct proper housing."

Resident Opposition

But others, including Shaikh, are fighting against the project.

All recognize that Dharavi, historically ignored as unauthorized settlement, is in stark need investment and development. However they worry that this plan – lacking resident participation – might turn a piece of prime Mumbai real estate into a playground for the rich, displacing the lower-caste, immigrant populations who have been there since the late 1800s.

It was these marginalized, relocated individuals who built up the vacant wetlands into a widely studied marvel of self-reliance and business activity, whose economic value is valued at between $1m and two million dollars a year, making it one of the world's largest unofficial markets.

Relocation Worries

Among approximately one million inhabitants living in the crowded 2.2 square kilometer area, less than 50% will be able for alternative accommodation in the redevelopment, which is expected to take an extended timeframe to complete. The remainder will be transferred to barren areas and salt plains on the far outskirts of the metropolis, threatening to divide a historic community. Certain individuals will not get residences at all.

Those allowed to remain in the neighborhood will be given units in multi-story structures, a major break from the natural, shared lifestyle of dwelling and laboring that has supported this area for many years.

Businesses from clothing production to clay work and waste processing are expected to reduce in scale and be relocated to an allocated "industrial sector" distant from homes.

Livelihood Crisis

For those such as the leather artisan, a workshop owner and long-time of his family to live in the slum, the plan presents a survival challenge. His rickety, multi-level operation creates apparel – formal jackets, premium outerwear, decorated jackets – distributed in premium stores in the city's affluent areas and overseas.

Household members dwells in the accommodations underneath and laborers and sewers – migrants from other states – reside in the same building, allowing him to manage costs. Away from the slum, accommodation prices are typically tenfold as high for a single room.

Harassment and Intimidation

At the official facilities in the vicinity, a visual representation of the redevelopment plan depicts an alternative outlook. Fashionable people move around on two-wheelers and eco-friendly transport, purchasing continental bread and croissants and having coffee on a patio adjacent to Dharavi Cafe and dessert parlor. It is a stark contrast from the inexpensive idli sambar morning meal and low-cost tea that maintains local residents.

"This isn't improvement for residents," explains Shaikh. "It represents a massive real estate deal that will price people out for residents to remain."

Additionally, there exists skepticism of the business conglomerate. Headed by a prominent businessman – a leading figure and a close ally of the national leader – the business group has been subject to claims of favoritism and questionable practices, which it denies.

Even as local authorities labels it a joint project, the business group invested $950m for its controlling interest. A case stating that the initiative was questionably assigned to the business group is under review in the top court.

Sustained Harassment

From when they initiated to publicly resist the development, local opponents state they have been experienced an extended period of pressure and threats – including phone calls, direct threats and insinuations that opposing the project was tantamount to speaking against the country – by figures they assert are associated with the developer.

Part of the group accused of delivering warnings is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c