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Across several weeks, threatening phone calls recurred. At first, allegedly from an ex-law enforcement official and a former defense officer, subsequently from the authorities. In the end, Mohammad Khurshid Shaikh asserts he was summoned to the police station and told clearly: stop speaking out or experience severe repercussions.

This third-generation resident is part of a group fighting a high-value initiative where this historic settlement – a massive informal community with rich history – faces bulldozed and redeveloped by a multinational conglomerate.

"The culture of this area is like nowhere else in the planet," says Shaikh. "But their intention is to dismantle our way of life and silence our voices."

Opposing Environments

The dank gullies of this community sit in stark contrast to the high-rise structures and luxury apartments that dominate the area. Residences are assembled randomly and often lacking adequate facilities, small-scale operations produce dangerous fumes and the environment is saturated with the overpowering odor of open sewers.

To some, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a developed area of high-end towers, well-maintained green spaces, shiny shopping centers and apartments with two toilets is an aspirational dream come true.

"There's no proper healthcare, proper streets or water management and we have no places for youth to recreate," says a chai seller, 56, who migrated from southern India in that period. "The only way is to tear it all down and provide modern residences."

Local Protest

However, some, like this protester, are opposing the redevelopment.

All recognize that the slum, historically ignored as unauthorized settlement, is desperately requiring financial support and improvement. However they are concerned that this project – absent of community input – is one that will turn a piece of prime Mumbai real estate into a playground for the rich, forcing out the marginalized, immigrant populations who have lived there since generations ago.

These were these marginalized, displaced people who developed the uninhabited area into a widely studied marvel of local enterprise and business activity, whose production is valued at between one million dollars and $2m per year, making it one of the world's largest informal economies.

Relocation Worries

Of the roughly 1 million inhabitants living in the crowded 220-hectare area, a minority will be eligible for alternative accommodation in the redevelopment, which is expected to take seven years to accomplish. The remainder will be transferred to undeveloped zones and coastal regions on the remote edges of Mumbai, threatening to divide a long-established community. Certain individuals will be denied homes at all.

Residents permitted to stay in Dharavi will be allocated units in high-rise buildings, a significant rupture from the organic, collective approach of residing and operating that has sustained the community for many years.

Businesses from garment work to pottery and material recovery are likely to reduce in scale and be transferred to a designated "business area" far from people's residences.

Livelihood Crisis

For those such as the leather artisan, a leather artisan and third generation resident to live in this community, the redevelopment presents a fundamental risk. His rickety, three-storey workshop creates apparel – formal jackets, premium outerwear, fashionable garments – marketed in luxury boutiques in south Mumbai and overseas.

Household members dwells in the rooms downstairs and employees and tailors – migrants from other states – reside there, enabling him to manage costs. Beyond Dharavi's enclave, housing costs are typically tenfold costlier for minimal space.

Threats and Warning

In the government offices close by, a visual representation of the transformation initiative shows an alternative outlook. Slickly dressed inhabitants move around on cycles and electric vehicles, acquiring western-style bread and pastries and having coffee on a terrace outside a restaurant and Ice-Cream. It is a complete departure from the inexpensive idli sambar morning meal and 5-rupee chai that maintains Dharavi's community.

"This represents no development for our community," explains Shaikh. "It represents an enormous real estate deal that will price people out for residents to remain."

Furthermore, there's distrust of the business conglomerate. Managed by an influential industrialist – one of India's most powerful and a close ally of the government head – the conglomerate has been subject to claims of crony capitalism and questionable practices, which it rejects.

While administrative bodies describes it as a collaborative effort, the business group invested $950m for its 80% stake. A lawsuit claiming that the initiative was questionably assigned to the business group is pending in India's supreme court.

Continued Intimidation

From when they initiated to vocally oppose the redevelopment, Shaikh and other residents assert they have been subjected to an extended period of pressure and threats – including phone calls, direct threats and suggestions that speaking against the development was tantamount to speaking against the country – by people they claim represent the developer.

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