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Across several weeks, coercive phone calls continued. Initially, allegedly from an ex-law enforcement official and an ex-military commander, later from the police themselves. In the end, one resident asserts he was summoned to law enforcement headquarters and instructed bluntly: stop speaking out or encounter real trouble.

Shaikh is one of many resisting a expensive project where this historic settlement – an iconic Mumbai neighborhood – is scheduled to be razed and transformed by a corporate giant.

"The distinctive community of this area is exceptional in the planet," says the protester. "However the plan aims to dismantle our community and prevent our protests."

Contrasting Realities

The narrow alleys of this community present a dramatic difference to the towering buildings and luxury apartments that dominate the neighborhood. Dwellings are constructed informally and often missing basic amenities, small-scale operations produce dangerous fumes and the air is saturated with the suffocating smell of open sewers.

For certain residents, the vision of Dharavi transformed into a glistening neighborhood of premium apartments, well-maintained green spaces, shiny shopping centers and residences with multiple bathrooms is a hopeful vision achieved.

"We don't have adequate medical facilities, roads or water management and there are no spaces for youth to recreate," says A Selvin Nadar, in his fifties, who migrated from southern India in that period. "The single option is to demolish everything and construct proper housing."

Local Protest

However, some, including this protester, are opposing the plan.

None deny that this community, historically ignored as an illegal encroachment, is urgently needing investment and development. But they are concerned that this project – without community input – could potentially transform premium city property into a luxury development, evicting the disadvantaged, working-class residents who have been there since generations ago.

This involved these excluded, displaced people who built up the uninhabited area into a frequently examined example of self-reliance and commercial output, whose production is worth between one million dollars and a substantial sum a year, making it a major unregulated sectors.

Resettlement Issues

Among approximately one million residents living in the dense 220-hectare area, less than 50% will be eligible for new homes in the redevelopment, which is projected to take seven years to finish. Others will be moved to barren areas and salt plains on the far outskirts of Mumbai, potentially break up a historic neighborhood. Some will receive no homes at all.

Residents permitted to stay in the neighborhood will be allocated units in multi-story structures, a major break from the natural, collective approach of dwelling and laboring that has supported Dharavi for generations.

Businesses from clothing production to ceramic crafts and material recovery are expected to reduce in scale and be transferred to a designated "commercial zone" separated from residential areas.

Livelihood Crisis

In the case of the leather artisan, a craftsman and multi-generational resident to reside in the slum, the redevelopment presents a fundamental risk. His rickety, three-storey workshop creates garments – sharp blazers, luxury coats, decorated jackets – distributed in premium stores in upscale neighborhoods and abroad.

His family resides in the spaces below and his workers and garment workers – laborers from north India – live on-site, permitting him to afford their labour. Away from Dharavi's enclave, Mumbai rents are often significantly costlier for minimal space.

Pressure and Coercion

At the official facilities in the vicinity, an illustrated mock-up of the Dharavi project illustrates a contrasting perspective. Slickly dressed people gather on two-wheelers and e-vehicles, purchasing western-style baguettes and croissants and socializing on an outdoor area near Dharavi Cafe and Ice-Cream. It is a complete departure from the inexpensive idli sambar morning meal and budget beverage that sustains the neighborhood.

"This isn't development for our community," says the protester. "It's a massive land development that will price people out for our community to continue."

Furthermore, there's concern of the corporate group. Headed by a prominent businessman – a leading figure and a close ally of the Indian prime minister – the business group has faced accusations of preferential treatment and financial impropriety, which it denies.

Although the state government labels it a joint project, the corporation invested $950m for its controlling interest. A case alleging that the redevelopment was questionably assigned to the developer is under review in India's supreme court.

Sustained Harassment

After they started to publicly resist the development, Shaikh and other residents assert they have been experienced a long-running campaign of harassment and intimidation – including communications, explicit warnings and insinuations that opposing the project was tantamount to opposing national interests – by figures they allege represent the corporate group.

Among those accused of making intimidations is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c