Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday announced a Rs 500 crore package to redevelop Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, in central Mumbai.

Addressing a gathering after unveiling Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji's statue near the international airport in Mumbai, he said Dharavi has graduated from being a slum to an economic hub housing small scale units.

Vajpayee underscored the need for a united battle to fight the vagaries of nature and to ensure relief to those reeling under drought conditions in various parts of the country.

At least seven districts in western Maharashtra are facing extreme drought conditions.

"We need to prepare ourselves to fight nature," Vajpayee said quoting the example of Gujarat and the help the quake affected region in the state received from all parts of the country and across the globe.

"We have enough foodgrains but if the distribution system does not work correctly, assistance would not reach the
needy," he said.

On restoring ancient forts in Maharashtra, he said it is time "we took care of such monuments."

On public hygiene, he said the country should work together and launch a united campaign to enhance the living standards in villages and cities.

India has a history of more than 1000 years, but it still has not reached a stage where it can be called a developed country, he said.

Calling for building a clean nation sans slums, Vajpayee said the effort has to be united one to ensure success.