Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced on Saturday that the Dharavi slum redevelopment project tender awarded to industrialist Gautam Adani's firm would be revoked if his party comes to power in Maharashtra.
During a press conference, Thackeray emphasized his party's commitment to ensuring that Dharavi residents and businesses remain in the locality. He asserted that residents should be provided with 500 square feet houses within the area.
"We will scrap the Dharavi slum redevelopment project tender after coming to power. The government must justify why it should not be scrapped immediately. We will not allow Mumbai to be transformed into Adani city," the former chief minister declared.
Thackeray accused the current administration of offering additional concessions to the Adani Group that are not stipulated in the contract for the redevelopment of Dharavi, one of the world's most densely populated urban areas.
"We will not grant these additional concessions. Our focus will be on what benefits Dharavi residents. If necessary, we will issue a fresh tender," he affirmed.
Thackeray also criticized the government, suggesting it might introduce a 'Ladka Mitra' (dear friend) scheme similar to the 'Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana', which provides women with Rs 1,500 per month.
The Dharavi redevelopment project was a significant campaign issue for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Anil Desai led by 36,857 votes against Shiv Sena's incumbent MP Rahul Shewale in the Dharavi assembly segment, ultimately defeating Shewale by a margin of 53,384 votes.
Thackeray criticized the government's approach of numbering homes, suggesting it aims to create a trap of eligibility and ineligibility to displace Dharavi residents.
The government has reportedly begun acquiring 20 plots in Mumbai intended for infrastructure and development projects to rehabilitate Dharavi residents. Thackeray warned that this would stress existing infrastructure in these areas.
The Dharavi project, with an estimated revenue potential of Rs 20,000 crore, involves redeveloping the extensive slum in central Mumbai, near the BKC business district. Adani Properties won the tender in November 2022 through a competitive bidding process that included realty major DLF and Naman Developers.
(With inputs from PTI)
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