The dichotomy of Indian megacities
Post-independence, the First and the Second Five Year Plans (1951-61) focused on providing affordable housing to low-income groups, workers, and government employees. However, the shift after the economic liberalization of the 1900s converted the idea of a city as an embodiment of the development and progress of a country. In the last two decades, policies such as PMAY-U, AMRUT 2.0, and Smart Cities Mission have been initiated to rejuvenate cities to accommodate various strata of society, especially the burgeoning middle class. High-rise buildings adorn the cityscapes of these megacities, which are home not only to the richest people in India but the world.However, these megacities are also home to large slums, which, per World Bank estimates, account for around 49 percent of the total urban population in India. Living with marginal amenities in the heart of megacities, the slum-dwellers form part of its informal economy, which accounts for the major share of India’s workforce. Some common occupations include rickshaw-pulling, hawking, household work, vending, and selling handicrafts. Asia’s largest slum in Dharavi, Mumbai, has turned into a mass producer over the years. It consists of several manufacturing units and micro businesses, including leather, food products, textiles, and pottery, and is the hub of Mumbai’s waste recycling. Despite grandiose urban renewal programs, the situation of slum dwellings remains pressing.