Thousands Are Displaced As Indian Slum Is Bulldozed

In an effort to transform a sprawling slum in one of India's largest cities into an economically vibrant boulevard, the government has destroyed the slum's shanties, displacing thousands. The government had made a promise to residents that they would be given replacement housing if they could provide documentation of their residence. Those without documentation have been pushed out into the city streets of Mumbai, while even some of those with proper documentation have not yet received a replacement home.

"The man in charge of the demolition, MJ Vazirani, says the slum's inhabitants have been given a day's notice to collect their belongings and move out of their properties."

" 'We have provided many of these slum dwellers, those who have documentation to show they came to Mumbai before 1995, with alternative housing,' he says."

" 'They will get better homes to live in - council flats, that are safer, better built, with running water and electricity. Why wouldn't they want to move into these homes?' "

The Indian government has been challenged with the large amount of slums in Mumbai and other large cities. Slums currently house nearly two-thirds of Mumbai’s population. Plans are currently underway to redevelop large plots of slums into commercially-active areas of mixed use that provide economic activity as well as replacement homes for displaced slum residents.