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For months, intimidating communications continued. Originally, allegedly from a former police officer and a retired army general, subsequently from law enforcement directly. Finally, a local artisan asserts he was called to law enforcement headquarters and told clearly: remain silent or face serious consequences.

This third-generation resident is part of a group resisting a high-value redevelopment plan where this historic settlement – an iconic Mumbai neighborhood – will be razed and transformed by a corporate giant.

"The unique ecosystem of Dharavi is unparalleled in the planet," says the protester. "Yet they want to eradicate our community and silence our voices."

Contrasting Realities

The narrow alleys of this community sit in stark contrast to the soaring skyscrapers and luxury apartments that dominate the area. Dwellings are assembled randomly and typically missing basic amenities, small-scale operations release harmful emissions and the air is filled with the overpowering odor of uncovered waste channels.

For certain residents, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a developed area of premium apartments, organized recreational areas, shiny shopping centers and residences with proper sanitation is an optimistic future come true.

"There's no sufficient health services, paved pathways or drainage and there's nowhere for children to play," states A Selvin Nadar, 56, who moved from his home state in that period. "The only way is to tear it all down and provide modern residences."

Community Resistance

However, some, including this protester, are fighting against the project.

Everyone acknowledges that this community, consistently overlooked as informal housing, is urgently needing financial support and improvement. Yet they are concerned that this plan – lacking public consultation – could potentially turn premium city property into a luxury development, displacing the lower-caste, working-class residents who have lived there since generations ago.

These were these shunned, migrant workers who developed the uninhabited area into a frequently examined example of local enterprise and commercial output, whose economic value is estimated at between a significant amount and $2m a year, making it among the globe's biggest unofficial markets.

Resettlement Issues

Out of about a million people living in the dense 220-hectare zone, fewer than half will be able for replacement housing in the development, which is expected to take an extended timeframe to finish. Additional residents will be relocated to barren areas and saline fields on the remote edges of the city, potentially divide a generations-old neighborhood. A portion will be denied homes at all.

People eligible to remain in the area will be given apartments in multi-story structures, a major break from the organic, shared lifestyle of residing and operating that has supported the community for generations.

Businesses from garment work to pottery and material recovery are projected to shrink in number and be relocated to an allocated "industrial sector" far from residential areas.

Livelihood Crisis

For those such as the leather artisan, a leather artisan and multi-generational inhabitant to reside in this community, the redevelopment presents a survival challenge. His makeshift, multi-level workshop produces garments – tailored coats, premium outerwear, fashionable garments – distributed in luxury boutiques in south Mumbai and overseas.

His family lives in the spaces underneath and employees and garment workers – laborers from other states – reside in the same building, permitting him to afford their labour. Beyond the slum, housing costs are often 10 times more expensive for a single room.

Pressure and Coercion

In the government offices nearby, a visual representation of the transformation initiative depicts an alternative perspective. Well-groomed inhabitants mill about on cycles and electric vehicles, acquiring continental bread and pastries and enlisting beverages on an outdoor area adjacent to Dharavi Cafe and treat station. It is a world away from the inexpensive idli sambar morning meal and low-cost tea that sustains Dharavi's community.

"This represents no progress for us," explains the artisan. "It's an enormous property transaction that will price people out for residents to remain."

Additionally, there exists concern of the development company. Run by a powerful tycoon – one of India's most powerful and a supporter of the Indian prime minister – the conglomerate has encountered allegations of preferential treatment and financial impropriety, which it disputes.

Although the state government calls it a joint project, the developer paid $950m for its majority share. A lawsuit claiming that the redevelopment was improperly granted to the corporation is under review in India's supreme court.

Ongoing Pressure

Since they began to publicly resist the project, local opponents claim they have been faced a long-running campaign of coercion and warning – comprising communications, direct threats and suggestions that criticizing the initiative was comparable with speaking against the country – by individuals they claim represent the business conglomerate.

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