On 18th November 2023, the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project (D.R.P.) denied accusations of favouritism made by the Congress on awarding the job to redevelop the Mumbai district. The ₹20,000 crore Adani Dharavi Redevelopment Project, in which the Maharashtra government is also a stakeholder, claimed in a statement that “vested interests” are trying to sabotage or postpone the project.
The Maharashtra Urban Development Department, which had initially voiced concerns about easing the rules, “has been compelled to issue a notification that removes the provision of indexation in Dharavi’s real estate Transferable Development Rights (T.D.R.), and made it mandatory for all Mumbai builders to buy the first 40 per cent of their T.D.R.(s) from Adani,” according to party general secretary Jairam Ramesh. The D.R.P. statement called it “unfortunate” that attempts were being made to “manufacture a controversy” around the T.D.R. generation.
It said that the Government Resolution (G.R.) of 2018, as amended by the G.R. of 2022, allowed for the generation of T.D.R. within the Dharavi Notified Area (D.N.A.), pointing out that both developments took place before the release of the tender for the redevelopment in 2022.
The project starts a new chapter filled with pride and purpose. The Adani Group have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rebuild Dharavi as a place of safety, inclusivity, and dignity.
The Group denied the allegations of favouritism in the Adani Dharavi project
On 18th November 2023, the Adani Group refuted claims of anomalies in a recent notification from the Maharashtra government regarding changes to the Development Control Rules for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The Group said in a media release that any accusations of favouritism ought to be regarded as a cunning ruse to cloud the issue and deflect focus away from their objective of revolutionary urban management. The state government’s modification, which permits the transfer of development rights, or T.D.R., without indexation, was announced.
According to the newspaper Hindustan Times, this would give the Adani Group a higher value for the T.D.R. generated from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. According to the report, all city builders would be required to purchase the first 40% of their required T.D.R. from the Adani Dharavi Redevelopment project due to the changes. Development rights are transferred to release a specific amount of developed land in return for land given up or abandoned, usually for an infrastructure project.
G.R. eliminating the indexation was issued before the project was awarded
The government resolution (G.R.) that eliminated indexation and permitted D.R.P. to sell T.D.R. was issued before the Adani Dharavi project was awarded to it in November 2022, according to a statement released by Adani Group on 18th November 2023. At the moment, the government is classifying this as due process. The spokeswoman said that the sale of T.D.R. produced from the D.R.P. throughout Mumbai was covered by the G.R. issued before the start of the 2018 tendering process.
Another G.R. was released in September 2022 with some revisions. The statement pointed out that the government’s final notification contradicts the assertion that these policy changes will benefit a single entity by capping the minimum usage of T.D.R. in other projects at 40% rather than 50%, as stated in the September 2022 G.R. Regretfully, some are trying to create a false controversy regarding the T.D.R. generation from the D.R.P.
According to the Adani Group, this is being done to thwart or at least postpone the long-held hopes for an improved future that the people of Dharavi have for themselves.
The Adani Dharavi project – important for urban development
The goal of the Dharavi project is to turn Mumbai’s Dharavi, one of the biggest slums in Asia, into a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly urban area. This project has garnered attention and scrutiny because of the Adani Group’s involvement, especially in light of recent developments regarding the Transfer of Development Rights. The Maharashtra government has announced Technology-Driven Development (T.D.R.), an essential urban planning and development component. This announcement has generated debate and prompted questions about possible bias.
T.D.R. allows landowners to move their land’s development rights to a new site, facilitating more effective land use in cities. The Adani Group has categorically refuted any improper behaviour in response to accusations. The Group is dedicated to transparency and moral business conduct by claiming it has complied with all applicable laws and standards. The Adani Dharavi Redevelopment project addresses long-standing issues in one of the city’s densely populated areas and is significant for Mumbai’s urban development.
Conclusion
The Adani Dharavi Redevelopment Project, a massive undertaking to transform Asia’s largest slum into a modern urban hub, has faced scrutiny over alleged irregularities in development rules. Despite accusations of favouritism, the Adani Group maintains its commitment to transparent and ethical practices, emphasizing that the project adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. The project holds significant importance for Mumbai’s urban development, addressing long-standing issues in a densely populated area and aiming to create a sustainable and modern urban centre.
