“Inside Delhi’s Sunder Kamala Nagar: 5 Stark Struggles of a Forgotten Slum Eyeing Dharavi’s $1 Billion Transformation”
The Forgotten Struggles of Sunder Kamala Nagar: A Slum Left Behind in Mumbai’s Redevelopment Race
Nestled beside the bustling King’s Circle railway station in Mumbai lies Sunder Kamala Nagar (SKN), a slum spread over 10 acres that has remained largely untouched by the waves of redevelopment sweeping across other parts of the city. Despite its proximity to Dharavi, which is now undergoing a massive transformation under a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment project, SKN stands as a stark reminder of the inequalities and bureaucratic stagnation that often plague urban development efforts in India.
A Personal Connection: Life in a 48-Square-Foot Home
For over 20 years, BMC 650, Sunder Kamala Nagar, a tiny six-by-eight-foot shanty, served as the home address of one of its long-time residents. Purchased in 1975 by the resident’s father for a mere Rs 300 from the local slum mafia, the 48-square-foot dwelling housed a family of six who had migrated from Ratnagiri to the then Bombay. Like many others in SKN, they came seeking a better life but found themselves caught in a cycle of urban neglect.
Evolution of the Settlement
Originally a wasteland with a few makeshift homes made of metal sheets, SKN grew gradually into a dense community of permanent brick structures. Over time, it became a well-organized neighbourhood with more than 30 community groups or “mandals,” each comprising 80 to 100 households. These mandals are the lifeblood of SKN, serving as the collective voice of the people in dealings with government bodies like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railway Authority.
The Role of Mitra Mandals
Tarun Mitra Mandal, one of the most active mandals in SKN, is a microcosm of the slum’s social and political life. Its former secretary, Vithal Bhostekar, has lived in the area his entire life. A decoration contractor by profession, Vithal recounts years of tireless efforts to secure basic amenities for the residents.
“Despite falling under railway jurisdiction, we managed to get electricity, water connections, and public toilets. Yet, for all our efforts, redevelopment remains a distant dream,” Vithal laments.
Although the area has seen some infrastructural improvements over the decades, the community’s core concerns—land ownership clarity, sanitation, and housing security—remain unresolved.
Envying Dharavi’s Development
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, just 800 meters away, has amplified SKN residents’ frustrations. While the Dharavi plan, despite its controversies, is visibly progressing, SKN continues to languish in bureaucratic limbo.
“Dharavi has industries and greater density. Our area is simpler in comparison, but we are stuck in jurisdictional disputes between the railway authorities and the state government,” says Vithal.
These overlapping claims have left SKN residents without clear land titles, a fundamental prerequisite for any formal redevelopment initiative.
Daily Life and Economic Realities
SKN’s residents are predominantly migrants from Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg districts. Most work as daily wage labourers, office clerks, or domestic helpers, primarily in the nearby Matunga area. The community’s economic fragility makes them particularly vulnerable to displacement and exploitation.
Despite the struggles, SKN has developed a sense of community resilience. The mandals provide a platform for collective action, whether it’s lobbying for better services or supporting each other during crises. Yet, internal divisions have also emerged, hampering cohesive efforts to advocate for redevelopment.
The Elusive Dream of Redevelopment
Vinod Dasavate, another lifelong resident and private-sector executive, echoes Vithal’s sentiments. “Every two years, we hear about a new redevelopment scheme. Surveys are conducted, houses are numbered, but nothing materialises,” he says.
Vinod’s family, like many others, has spent decades hoping for better living conditions. “We don’t want luxury; we just want basic dignity—a decent home with water, sanitation, and safety,” he adds.
The Historical Context of Slum Development Schemes
Mumbai’s journey with slum development began in 1976 with the Slum Improvement Plan (SIP), followed by the Slum Development Scheme (SDS) in the late 1980s. These efforts brought modest improvements in infrastructure but fell short of transforming living conditions.
In 1995, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance introduced the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and launched more ambitious projects. It was during this time that SKN residents began to believe that their dream of moving into 160-square-foot flats could become a reality. However, like previous initiatives, these too failed to deliver tangible outcomes for SKN.
A Community Left Behind
Despite being peaceful even during the turbulent 1992-93 riots, SKN has been largely ignored by redevelopment planners. Residents argue that their mixed demographic and non-industrial character make the area less complex to redevelop than Dharavi. However, a combination of bureaucratic hurdles and political indifference continues to stymie progress.
Even efforts to form cooperative housing societies to negotiate with authorities have faltered due to internal conflicts and the migration of residents to far-flung suburbs like Virar, Panvel, and Ambernath.
Emotional and Financial Costs
The lack of redevelopment has taken a toll on residents both emotionally and financially. Many have invested in maintaining and upgrading their homes with the hope of eventual formalisation. Others have sold their properties at throwaway prices due to frustration and moved away, further weakening the community’s collective bargaining power.
For many like Vithal and Vinod, the biggest fear is that time is running out. “We see Dharavi getting attention. We hear surveys have begun there, and soon, families will be moved into proper buildings. But what about us?” Vinod asks.
The Road Ahead
For any meaningful redevelopment to take place in SKN, several critical steps are required:
- Land Ownership Clarity: The jurisdictional dispute between the Railway Authority and the state government must be resolved.
- Unified Representation: Residents need to organise under a single, cohesive platform to effectively advocate for their rights.
- Government Will: Political and administrative commitment is essential to prioritise redevelopment.
- Transparent Processes: Any redevelopment plan must be transparent, inclusive, and sensitive to the community’s socio-economic conditions.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Like the Dharavi project, partnerships with credible developers could help bring in the expertise and funding needed.
Conclusion
Sunder Kamala Nagar may not feature in glossy brochures or ambitious redevelopment proposals, but its story is emblematic of the silent struggles of countless urban poor in India’s megacities.
As Mumbai dreams of becoming a world-class city, it must remember that its foundations rest on communities like SKN. Their aspirations, though modest, are just as important as the skyline they help build. Ignoring them not only perpetuates inequality but also weakens the very fabric of urban resilience.
The time for lip service is over. Sunder Kamala Nagar deserves more than promises—it deserves action, dignity, and a future worth living.
