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Over an extended period, intimidating phone calls recurred. Originally, supposedly from a retired cop and a former defense officer, later from law enforcement directly. Ultimately, one resident asserts he was summoned to the local precinct and instructed bluntly: stop speaking out or face serious consequences.

The leather artisan is part of a group opposing a expensive redevelopment plan where this historic settlement – one of India’s largest and most storied slums – faces demolished and transformed by a large business group.

"The distinctive community of Dharavi is like nowhere else in the world," explains the resident. "However their intention is to destroy our way of life and silence our voices."

Opposing Environments

The narrow alleys of the slum present a dramatic difference to the high-rise structures and Bollywood penthouses that dominate the neighborhood. Residences are constructed informally and often without proper sanitation, small-scale operations release harmful emissions and the atmosphere is filled with the unpleasant stench of open sewers.

To some, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a modern district of luxury high-rises, neat parks, modern retail complexes and apartments with multiple bathrooms is an optimistic future come true.

"We don't have adequate medical facilities, roads or drainage and there are no spaces for kids to enjoy," explains A Selvin Nadar, in his fifties, who moved from Tamil Nadu in the early eighties. "The only way is to demolish everything and build us new homes."

Local Protest

However, some, like Shaikh, are resisting the project.

None deny that the slum, historically ignored as informal housing, is desperately requiring financial support and improvement. But they are concerned that this project – lacking public consultation – might transform premium city property into an elite enclave, forcing out the disadvantaged, immigrant populations who have lived there since the late 1800s.

It was these shunned, migrant workers who developed the vacant wetlands into a widely studied marvel of community resilience and commercial output, whose output is worth between a significant amount and two million dollars annually, making it a major informal economies.

Relocation Worries

Of the roughly 1 million people living in the packed 2.2 square kilometer zone, a minority will be able for replacement housing in the development, which is expected to take a significant period to complete. Others will be moved to undeveloped zones and saline fields on the remote edges of the city, risking divide a generations-old social network. Certain individuals will not get residences at all.

Those allowed to continue living in the area will be provided units in tower blocks, a major break from the organic, shared lifestyle of dwelling and laboring that has maintained this area for so long.

Commercial activities from garment work to ceramic crafts and waste processing are likely to reduce in scale and be transferred to a specific "industrial sector" separated from homes.

Survival Challenge

For those such as the leather artisan, a leather artisan and third generation inhabitant to live in this community, the project presents a fundamental risk. His informal, multi-level facility makes leather coats – formal jackets, premium outerwear, decorated jackets – marketed in high-end shops in upscale neighborhoods and internationally.

Household members lives in the accommodations below and employees and tailors – workers from different regions – reside in the same building, enabling him to afford their labour. Away from this community, housing costs are typically significantly costlier for basic accommodation.

Harassment and Intimidation

Within the government offices close by, an illustrated mock-up of the transformation initiative depicts a very different vision for the future. Fashionable residents move around on bicycles and e-vehicles, acquiring continental bread and breakfast items and having coffee on a patio outside a coffee shop and treat station. This depicts a world away from the inexpensive idli sambar breakfast and budget beverage that supports Dharavi's community.

"This represents no development for residents," states Shaikh. "It's a massive real estate deal that will render it impossible for residents to remain."

There is also concern of the corporate group. Managed by a powerful tycoon – among the country's wealthiest and a supporter of the government head – the conglomerate has encountered allegations of preferential treatment and ethical concerns, which it denies.

While the state government labels it a joint project, the corporation contributed $950m for its 80% stake. A lawsuit stating that the initiative was unfairly awarded to the corporation is being considered in the nation's highest judicial body.

Continued Intimidation

After they started to publicly resist the development, local opponents state they have been faced an extended period of pressure and threats – involving phone calls, explicit warnings and insinuations that opposing the initiative was comparable with speaking against the country – by figures they claim represent the developer.

Among those alleged to have making intimidations is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c