100 Facts About Mumbai Slums

Here are 100 facts about Mumbai’s slums, covering their history, living conditions, economy, and more:

General Information

1. Mumbai has the largest slum population in India
2. Over 40% of Mumbai’s residents live in slums
3. Dharavi is the largest slum in Mumbai and one of the biggest in the world
4. Slums are present across Mumbai, not just in Dharavi
5. Other major slum areas include Mankhurd, Govandi, Malad, Kurla, and Worli
6. Slums developed due to rapid urban migration and lack of affordable housing
7. The first slums in Mumbai appeared in the late 19th century
8. Dharavi was originally a swamp and was inhabited in the 1880s
9. Many slums are built on government land, railways, and even near highways
10. Some slums have been around for more than 100 years

Population & Density

11. Dharavi has over 1 million residents in just 2.1 sq. km
12. Some slums have over 300,000 people per square kilometer
13. Slum dwellers include migrants from all over India
14. Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali are commonly spoken
15. Most slum residents are daily wage workers, small business owners, or artisans
16. Many families live in houses as small as 10×10 feet
17. Multiple families sometimes share a single room
18. Slums often lack proper ventilation, increasing health risks
19. Water supply is usually shared by hundreds of people
20. Many slum households do not have private toilets

Infrastructure & Living Conditions

21. Most slum houses are made of tin sheets, bricks, and plastic
22. Electricity is often illegally sourced or shared
23. Slums have narrow lanes, some only a few feet wide
24. Drainage systems are poor, leading to frequent flooding in monsoons
25. Public toilets are shared by hundreds of families
26. Sanitation facilities are minimal, increasing the risk of diseases
27. Many slum areas have open garbage dumps nearby
28. Most houses lack proper windows, making ventilation a challenge
29. Some slums have makeshift schools and community centers
30. Due to lack of space, children often play in narrow lanes or rooftops

Economy & Employment

31. Dharavi generates over $1 billion in annual revenue
32. Slum dwellers work in small-scale industries like pottery, textiles, and recycling
33. Over 15,000 single-room factories operate in Dharavi alone
34. Leather goods made in Dharavi are exported worldwide
35. Many slum residents work as domestic helpers, drivers, and security guards
36. Recycling is a major industry, with over 80% of Mumbai’s plastic waste processed in Dharavi
37. Some slums have thriving informal economies, including street vending and tailoring
38. Many skilled artisans and craftsmen live in slums
39. Handmade pottery from Dharavi is famous in Mumbai
40. Thousands of small shops operate within slum areas

Education & Healthcare

41. Many slum children attend government or NGO-run schools
42. Dropout rates are high due to economic pressures
43. Many slum kids start working at a young age to support families
44. Government midday meal programs help slum children stay in school
45. Several NGOs run free tuition classes in slums
46. Healthcare is a major issue due to lack of hospitals nearby
47. Many slum residents rely on government clinics for medical treatment
48. Diseases like tuberculosis, dengue, and cholera are common
49. NGOs provide free healthcare camps in slum areas
50. Malnutrition is common among children in slums

Crime & Social Issues

51. Unemployment leads to high crime rates in some slum areas
52. Drug abuse is an issue, especially among youth
53. Child labor is common in industries like recycling and pottery
54. Sanitation issues lead to frequent disease outbreaks
55. Water shortages are frequent in summer
56. Many slum women face domestic violence and gender discrimination
57. Forced evictions happen when government projects clear slum land
58. Slum relocation programs have met with mixed success
59. Many slum residents live under constant fear of eviction
60. Community policing has helped reduce crime in some areas

Government & Development Programs

61. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) runs housing schemes
62. Redevelopment projects aim to provide better housing for slum dwellers
63. Some slum dwellers receive free or low-cost housing under government schemes
64. Not all slums are recognized by the government
65. Redeveloped slums often face issues like poor maintenance
66. Many residents prefer staying in slums rather than moving to small flats
67. Slum tourism has grown, especially in Dharavi
68. Several Bollywood movies have been inspired by Mumbai’s slums
69. Slum tours highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of Dharavi
70. Many slum dwellers have successfully moved out due to education and work opportunities

Famous Facts About Dharavi

71. Dharavi was featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire
72. It has one of the world’s highest densities of people per square km
73. More than 5,000 businesses operate inside Dharavi
74. It has its own movie theaters and shopping areas
75. Slum housing rent is often higher than expected due to demand
76. Dharavi exports goods to over 50 countries
77. It has its own radio station and community newspapers
78. There are over 300 bakeries in Dharavi
79. Some of Mumbai’s best street food vendors come from slum areas
80. Dharavi has sports teams in cricket, football, and kabaddi

Innovations & Positive Aspects

81. Slums have strong community networks
82. Recycling efforts help Mumbai manage waste effectively
83. Many successful entrepreneurs started from slums
84. Slum dwellers contribute significantly to Mumbai’s workforce
85. Solar power projects have started in some slum areas
86. Microfinance programs support small businesses in slums
87. Community learning centers provide skill training
88. Women’s self-help groups empower female entrepreneurs
89. Several NGOs provide clean water solutions in slums
90. Some slum areas have become model settlements with better facilities

Future Challenges & Hope

91. Slum redevelopment needs better planning
92. More affordable housing is required to reduce slum growth
93. Education can help break the cycle of poverty
94. Technology-based jobs are opening up for slum youth
95. Healthcare infrastructure needs to improve in slums
96. More employment opportunities can improve living conditions
97. Many slum residents dream of a better future for their children
98. Sustainable urban planning is key to solving Mumbai’s housing crisis
99. Slums highlight Mumbai’s economic disparities
100. Despite challenges, Mumbai’s slums remain a hub of resilience, hard work, and dreams