Indira Nagar, Mumbai

Indira Nagar is in Dharavi which is globally renowned as one of the largest slums in Asia. It's a vibrant hub of small-scale industries like recycling, textiles, and pottery. Over 15,000 single-room factories employ over 200,000 residents.

Dharavi was a swampy land occupied by six fishing villages before it became Asia's largest slum. The marshy lands near the Mithi River were used for fishing and agriculture by local Koli communities. Over the decades from the 1930s, growing migrant population led to informal housing development and unplanned industries in the area, leading to overcrowding and poor living conditions seen today making Indira Nagar a part of it.

Residents come from diverse religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, hailing from within Maharashtra as well as other states. While many work in Dharavi's industries, others commute outside for jobs in transport, maintenance and domestic work. Around 30% live below the poverty line despite their hard work sustaining Mumbai's economy.

In 2022, the Adani Group won the high-profile bid to redevelop Dharavi, replacing the older S. Raheja plan. They will invest over $2 billion, constructing high-rise towers while rehabilitating residents. The goal is large-scale modernization to transform living standards through planned housing, roads, open spaces, and commercial areas over approximately 500 acres.