Once in power, will scrap Dharavi project tender awarded to Adani Realty, float fresh tender: Thackeray

Speaking at a press conference at his Matoshree residence, Thackeray said the residents and businesses in Dharavi should not be displaced and asserted that those living there must receive 500 sq ft houses within the locality.

“We will scrap the Dharavi slum redevelopment project contract after coming to power and float a fresh tender with revised terms and conditions. The government should give an answer as to why it should not be scrapped now itself. We will not allow Mumbai to be turned into Adani city,” he said.

Thackeray alleged the Maharashtra government was giving ‘extraordinary favours’ to the Adani Group. He said Sena (UBT) workers will hit the streets if their demand was not met.

When asked to comment on the allegations made by Thackeray, Valsa Nair, Principal Secretary (Housing), Maharashtra, said, “I am not aware of what was said, hence I cannot comment.” She further said the CEO of the project will be the right person to comment. However, despite repeated attempts, the CEO of the project could not be contacted.

While Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL) spokesperson declined to comment on the statements made by Thackeray, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale termed his allegations as baseless and being made keeping in view the upcoming Assembly polls and for getting donations for the party.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole too on Saturday said the state government’s decision to hand over all of Dharavi’s land to the Adani Group was just the beginning and that it was now trying to give away the multi-crore dairy land at Worli at a throwaway price.

Shewale said Thackeray was trying to create hurdle in the project and making false allegations against Adani. “The Election Commission recently allowed the Sena (UBT) to accept donations and hence baseless allegations are being made today regarding the Dharavi redevelopment project. The allegations are being made to get donations for the party,” he said.

Shewale also said the decision to give 350 sqft houses to Dharavikars in the redevelopment project was taken after taking Thackeray into confidence. “Uddhav was also aware of the fact that a house larger than 350 sqft cannot be given to Dharavi dwellers considering all aspects of CRZ and air traffic regulations. Still, the unrealistic demand of 500 sqft house has been brought up just to create confusion among the people. Also everyone is aware that the entire existing land in Dharavi cannot be used for redevelopment due to issues like nature park in Dharavi, Dharavi Koliwada, sewage project etc. The Dharavi redevelopment project, pending for the past several years, gained momentum during the coalition government led by Shinde. Unreasonable demands and allegations are being made by the Opposition only to block the project. The Opposition has no concern for the welfare of Dharavikars and is creating an atmosphere of confusion for their own political benefits,” the former Sena MP said.

Thackeray, however, raised questions on the project.

“What is the definition of redevelopment of Dharavi? Is it the development of Dharavi or Adani? Does anyone know what is there in the blueprint? They are planning to give Mumbai and Dharavi away to Adani. They have given a free hand to Adani to use TDR (transferable development rights) all over the city. They are redeveloping 590 acres in Dharavi but need land everywhere in Mumbai. The people of Dharavi must get houses in Dharavi only. If Adani cannot do this, he should say it and a fresh tender should be floated after scrapping this one. Another contractor must be given the contract,” Thackeray said.

He claimed that additional concessions, not specified in the contract, have been given to the Adani Group for the redevelopment of Dharavi, one of the world’s densest urban areas, and said the Sena (UBT) would not provide such extra concessions.

“We will not give additional concessions. We will see what is good for residents of Dharavi and if need arises we will issue a fresh tender,” Thackeray asserted.

In November 2022, Gautam Adani-led Adani Realty won the tender for the 259-hectare Dharavi cluster redevelopment project worth Rs 20,000 crore.

(Inputs by Sweety Adimulam)