Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Demolition drive razes 14 homes in Dharavi's Meghwadi amid protests
Some families in a part of Dharavi called Meghwadi were told they had to move out of their homes.
A big project to rebuild the area needed their houses to be torn down.
Many people did not want to leave the homes where they lived.
Workers and officials came on Thursday to knock the houses down.
The families stood outside and asked the officials to stop.
One older man got so upset that he said he would hurt himself, and then he fainted.
A local leader named Jyoti Gaikwad came to talk to the officials, and the work stopped for a little while.
But soon the work started again.
Fourteen homes were knocked down, and two families were promised a peaceful handover.
The people were very sad about losing their homes.
A demolition drive under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) targeted 16 homes in Dharavi's Meghwadi area on Thursday, triggering protests by residents.
The operation was partially halted after an elderly resident who threatened to end his life collapsed and Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad intervened.
The demolition was eventually completed, with 14 homes demolished and two promised to be handed over peacefully.
Officials of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), accompanied by police, began the demolition around 11 am after occupants failed to vacate despite notices.
The drive is part of the ongoing exercise to clear Sector 6, where rehabilitation buildings are proposed under the redevelopment project.
- Who
- Residents of Dharavi's Meghwadi area, officials of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) with police, and Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad
- What
- A demolition drive under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project razed 14 of 16 homes marked for eviction, despite protests
- When
- Thursday, with the operation beginning around 11 am
- Where
- Meghwadi, Dharavi
- Why
- To clear Sector 6, where rehabilitation buildings are proposed, after occupants failed to vacate their homes despite notices issued under the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971
Residents
Redevelopment Authorities
Eviction and demolition
Residents
Residents of Meghwadi refuse to vacate their houses and pleaded with officials to stop the demolition, with one elderly resident threatening to end his life.
Redevelopment Authorities
Officials began demolishing the 16 marked homes after occupants failed to vacate despite notices issued under the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971.
Redevelopment process
Residents
Residents gathered outside the houses to block the razing, and the operation was only partially halted after MLA Jyoti Gaikwad intervened.
Redevelopment Authorities
The operation, carried out by SRA officials with police, was eventually completed, with 14 homes demolished and two promised to be handed over peacefully.
- Location
- Meghwadi, Dharavi
- Project
- Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP)
- Implementing authority
- Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA)
- Homes marked for eviction
- 16
- Homes demolished
- 14
- Legal notices
- Issued under Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971
- Area targeted
- Sector 6
- Timing
- Thursday, beginning around 11 am