The Times of South Mumbai - Beyond the rags... to the riches, Shopping,

If you thought that slums narrate a grimy tale depicting abject poverty, you will be pleasantly surprised when you get to Asia's largest slum — Dharavi. It is the Mecca of livelihood for the vast population it holds, contradicting the fact that slums are all about penury and dearth. This maze of kaccha and pucca huts houses a strong network of businesses ranging from garment manufacturing, recycling, clay pottery to tannery et al. The estimated turnover of industries in Dharavi is a whopping $700 million-$1 billion.

Ever wondered where the pen refills go after you have disposed them off? It might be of hardly any significance but there is an entire world out there earning their living off the recycling business. Plastic goods including road waste, bags, and oil plastic cans are recycled at the plants in Dharavi. Alsar Ahmed, owner of a recycling plant says, "There are around 100 recycling plants. Most of the plastic items you see have made their way from our plants in Dharavi." Producing 100 tonnes of recycled plastic per day and a profit of Rs 40 lakh p.a. definitely makes this a lucrative business.

l Leather manufacturers make an
approximate turnover of Rs 3 to 4 crore per month

Your fetish for fine fabrics can be satiated if you take a walk along the readymade garment outlets that stand in a line here. It's a hub for middlemen, manufacturers and exporters of garments. Sizeable number of manufacturers supplying to domestic markets operate here and some export high quality knitted and woven garments. Mohammad Siddique, a manufacturer and exporter says, "We export 80 per cent of our garments to the USA and 20 per cent to South America and Mexico. Our turnover is roughly Rs 10 crore. This holds true for most of the garment dealers here."

Another business unique to Dharavi is clay pottery. The industry flourishes in Kumbhar Wada. The killing is not much to talk about as the sales are Rs 3 to 4 per pot at wholesale rates. Diyas are sold on a wholesale as well as retail basis. Parvati Mewada, a clay pot dealer says, "We hand paint these diyas and sell it within Dharavi and the rest of the city. The price is generally low. We increase prices depending upon the area and customer base."

If diya making is a business here, then painting them is also a segment that makes up for good business. Painters have to be aware of design trends otherwise, they incur losses when some designs have no takers.

l Diya painters in Dharavi have to be aware of design trends, otherwise, they incur losses when some designs have no takers

While the tanneries in Dharavi are nearly extinct, leather manufacturing and retailing are ever progressive. Rakesh Chopra, a leather manufacturer says, "We make an approximate turnover of Rs 3 to 4 crore per month. Our profit is roughly 10 per cent. The demand for leather accessories, garments and products are high all round the season, thus balancing competition. At a reasonable cost, we give the best deal."

With abundant potential and industrious zeal, Dharavi has created for itself a niche that's unique. It creates its own demand and meets it with quality products. Naushad Khan, president of Dharavi Businessmen's Welfare Association affirms that without doubt Dharavi stands to be a rich slum with burgeoning business opportunities.

neha.rishi@timesgroup.com