Industry

The former slum is home to between 15 and 20 thousand factories producing a variety of goods. Although most famous for its leather industry, Dharavi is also home to potters, garment manufacturers and most recently, a huge recycling business mainly for plastic waste from all across India.

Although many of the products are used within the slum itself, there are plenty more that are exported all over the world. The economy of Dharavi is said to have a turnover of between 500 million and 1 billion US dollars a year…not an amount to be sneezed at certainly.

Unfortunately for the development and modernization of Dharavi, most of these businesses are informal and not recognized by the government since recognition would mean the need to give them subsidies. However, this means that in the case of a redevelopment scheme they are worried that they would not receive adequate compensation nor have provisions made for them, which sets them firmly against any such ventures.