Orangi,not Dharavi,is Asia’s largest slum,claims UNDP

But that doesn’t make life better for about 57,000 families who call Dharavi,the 175 hectare slum that covers parts of Sion,Bandra,Kurla and Kalina in sub-urban Mumbai,home. “Chemicals including acid are known to flow through

Dharavi’s open drains because of tanning activity that flourishes there,” the report said. Thus exposing the already miserable life of the slums residents to grave risk.

“Also,outbreaks of malaria,leptospirosis,diarrhoea,dengue,hepatitis and other diseases occur due to poor water and sanitation facilities in Dharavi,” the report said.

The proposed Rs 9,260-crore Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP),drawn up by architect Mukesh Mehta and part of Maharashtra government’s plan to transform Mumbai into an International Finance Centre,is yet to be implemented despite being approved in 2004. The DRP envisaged a residential area with schools,hospitals and other amenities,four commercial zones including a Gems and Jewellery district and a leather district for Dharavi. The slum’s families were to be accommodated in 225 sq feet multi-storied tenements.