Supreme Court Seeks Adani’s Response in Dharavi Redevelopment Dispute
India’s Supreme Court has asked Gautam Adani’s conglomerate to respond to allegations of unfairly securing the bid for redeveloping Mumbai’s Dharavi slum, one of Asia’s largest. Dubai-based SecLink Technologies, the competing bidder, claims it was wrongfully excluded from the bidding process and has offered to raise its original bid by 20%. While the court did not halt the project, it stated that the contract remains subject to the case’s final ruling.
Adani Group won the $619 million redevelopment contract in 2023, aiming to transform the 240-hectare slum into a modern city. However, SecLink’s challenge has prolonged the legal battle, which previously reached a Mumbai court before escalating to India’s highest judicial authority. Adani and the Maharashtra government deny any wrongdoing, while the conglomerate has already commenced preliminary construction work, employing 2,000 workers. The redevelopment project, launched in March last year, includes a survey to determine eligible residents for free housing.
Featured in the 2008 Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, Dharavi is located near Mumbai’s airport and has faced multiple delays in redevelopment attempts over the years. Adani Group has planned a seven-year timeline for the transformation, but the Supreme Court’s final decision will determine the project’s future course.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
