Dharavi redevelopment project about 'dignity' for a million people, says Gautam Adani

Gautam Adani said that the redevelopment project in Dharavi will create an "ecosystem" for sustainable living.

The Adani Group’s ambitious Dharavi redevelopment project aims to bring dignity and transformation to the lives of over one million residents living in one of the world’s largest slums, according to the group’s chairman, Gautam Adani. Speaking at an event in Mumbai’s Jai Hind College, Adani said that the project represents more than just urban renewal; it symbolises a new beginning for the residents of Dharavi.

"For me, Dharavi is not just about urban renewal. It is about restoring dignity to over one million residents of our country. It is about the possibilities when you dare to dream big and act with purpose," Adani told the audience.

The Adani Group is the lead partner in the project through a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd, in which it holds an 80 percent stake; the government of Maharashtra holds the remaining 20 percent stake. The SPV is tasked with transforming the slum cluster into a sustainable, modern living environment.

Surveying for the project is already underway, with around 10,000 structures surveyed as of now. The complete survey is expected to be finished by March 2025.

Previously, Gautam Adani had highlighted that all residents, regardless of their status as “eligible” or “ineligible,” will receive housing under the project. Residents deemed ineligible—those who moved to Dharavi after 2011—will be provided homes in other parts of the city under a rental housing scheme, with the option to purchase later.

However, challenges persist, particularly around securing land to accommodate ineligible residents. SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, noted that approximately 500-600 acres of land will be required for this purpose. While the project has secured 27 acres from Indian Railways, more land is being sought in various parts of the city, including from defunct salt pans owned by the union government.

The Dharavi redevelopment project continues to be a focal point in Maharashtra’s political landscape as the state gears up for the upcoming elections.