PM’s Rs 500-cr facelift for Dharavi

As he was boarding, a senior bureaucrat of the Urban Development Ministry handed him a note. It said there’s a special grant of Rs 500 crore for the development of Dharavi, sanctioned by the NDA government.

‘‘I read the note just now. And accordingly, I’m making the announcement,’’ the PM said, after unveiling the statue of Maratha warrior king Shivaji near the city’s airport.

The sum, it is hoped, will help achieve the PM’s goal of a slumless India. For Mumbai, it means a possible end to the distinction of housing Asia’s biggest slum.

With slums now being the chosen topic, Vajpayee expressed concern over the lack of cleanliness in the city and elsewhere in India. ‘‘On foreign tours, I am reminded of the fact that this country has made tremendous progress in all sectors — except cleanliness,’’ he said.

This is not the first time that Dharavi has inched into the spotlight. The slumland gave Prince Charles an opportunity to peek into shanties during his recent India tour. His Royal Highness may not get that chance the next time he’s here.