India, Feb. 19 -- For nine months last year, the 600 acres of Dharavi were mapped and surveyed using drones. The images from these drone surveys will now be used as proof to eliminate 'illegal' structures, and Dharavikars in the latter will not qualify for redevelopment benefits. This is the first time that the authorities are making it clear who qualifies as illegal and stands to lose everything after the ongoing physical door-to-door survey is complete.

On Tuesday, the Adani Group-led Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), which has been awarded the redevelopment of one of Asia's largest slums, declared this on behalf of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/SRA. According to officials, the drone survey, which was okayed in Dec...