Dharavi slum is known as the largest of any other slums in Asia that stretches across 427 acres in the central part of Mumbai. It is a triangular region sheltering about 600,000 dwellers officially while the unauthorized number of dwellers can exceed more than a million.

It has been constructed out of continuous settlements divided by small walls and narrow roads. In recent days, it is said that dried up creeks have also become a part of the Dharavi slum. Here are more amazing facts about the Dharavi Slum.

• Dharavi lies between the Central suburban railway tracks and Western regions bordered by Mahim, Bandra in the west and Matunga and Sion in the south and east respectively. The three corners of the slum are landmarked by Matunga, Sion and Mahim railway stations.

• People started to live in Dharavi since the beginning of the 18th Century when Koli fishermen began to settle there. They lived along the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is known as one of the six great Koliwadas of Mumbai.

• Dharavi emerged out due to the migratory nature in the city of Mumbai. The Marathis from Konkan coast, the Gujaratis and the Muslim tanners of Tamil Nadu are found to settle there. Artisans from Uttar Pradesh are also found here.

• These communities were driven out of Southern Mumbai when they tried to settle there illegally. They were compelled to settle on the edges of the city which formed Dharavi. When the population of Mumbai flourished by the advent of 20th Century, the city began to expand, pushing Dharavi to the heart of the city.

• The Dharavi region has under-developed infrastructure like sanitation arrangements and health care issues. Apart from this, the place is quite famous for leather business and garment trade industry.

• There are many big A.C showrooms here. According to recent statics this area is estimated to make a turnover of Rs. 3000 crores on these industries. Affording a place in Dharavi is too costly even though the poorest residents of Mumbai are found here.

• Dharavi is on its way of development as the Central Government has passed a bill of makeover. It is soon going to turn into a modern township from the dark and gloomy slum.

• The industrial projects of Dharavi saw great change as workers are busy recycling copper and plastics to produce new metal parts. They sew materials and fabrics like Fitch shirts and Abercrombie apart from luggage and baggage assembly.  All of them are migrant mechanics and workers.

• The community might be poor, but they are indulged in surplus industrial works with inspiring energy and zeal. It doesn’t seem tired and temporary like any other slum sheltering the poorest of the population.

• There is an open space in the middle of the slum that is surrounded by garbage, unsurprisingly enough; it is used as a bathroom.

In the upcoming days, more projects are proposed by the Government for the development of Dharavi.  The nearest airport to Dharavi is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, which also serves as the airport for the rest of Mumbai. The slum drew a lot of attention after being featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle.