Dharavi, located in Mumbai, is one of Asia’s largest slums, spanning approximately 600 acres. Despite its challenging living conditions, it has been a hub for around 5,000 businesses and 15,000 single-room factories, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s informal economy. Over the years, multiple redevelopment projects have been proposed to transform Dharavi into a modern urban area, but these efforts have often faced bureaucratic delays, political conflicts, and financial hurdles.
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The Maharashtra government has long sought to rehabilitate the slum’s residents, offering better housing, sanitation, and infrastructure. However, past efforts have been hindered by issues like land disputes, resistance from local businesses, and lack of investor confidence. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is the latest attempt to modernize the area, but its execution has sparked legal and ethical debates.
Seclink’s Initial Bid and Subsequent Developments
In 2018, UAE-based Seclink Technologies Corporation emerged as the highest bidder for the Dharavi redevelopment project, offering ₹7,200 crore. However, progress was stalled due to land acquisition complexities and state policy changes. The Maharashtra government eventually scrapped the 2018 tender, arguing that the project’s scope had changed significantly, requiring a fresh bidding process.
Seclink has argued that its bid was superior and that the tender cancellation was unjustified. The company has accused the Maharashtra government of making arbitrary decisions and favoring other bidders without valid reasons. This dispute has led to long legal battles in Indian courts, delaying the much-needed redevelopment.
Adani Group’s Involvement in the Project
In 2023, the Adani Group, through its subsidiary Adani Properties Pvt Ltd, won the redevelopment contract with a bid of ₹5,069 crore, which was lower than Seclink’s earlier bid. The project aims to transform Dharavi into a modern urban township, potentially displacing 700,000 residents.
However, critics argue that the lower bid raises concerns about the financial viability of the project and the quality of rehabilitation. Residents fear mass displacement, loss of livelihoods, and an uncertain future. Adani Group has promised that eligible residents will receive free housing, but many believe that implementation challenges and loopholes could leave thousands without adequate resettlement.
Supreme Court’s Intervention and Legal Battle
Seclink Technologies challenged the cancellation of its bid and the subsequent contract awarded to Adani Group, claiming that the process was unfair and lacked transparency. After the Bombay High Court dismissed its petition in December 2024, Seclink approached the Supreme Court of India for relief.
On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Maharashtra government and Adani Properties, seeking responses on Seclink’s allegations. While the court has not stayed the project, it has directed Adani Group to maintain a separate bank account for all project-related transactions. The next hearing is scheduled for May 25, 2025.
Impact on Dharavi Residents and Future Concerns
The biggest concern in this redevelopment project is the impact on Dharavi’s residents. The government has assured that families will be rehoused in modern apartments near their original homes. However, many fear displacement, as past resettlement projects in Mumbai have left thousands stranded without proper housing or compensation.
Several activists and urban planners have raised questions about whether Adani Group, primarily an infrastructure and business conglomerate, has the expertise to handle a project of this social magnitude. They argue that a public-private partnership model with greater government oversight might have been a better approach.
Moving Ahead: A Project at a Crossroads
The Dharavi redevelopment project stands at a critical juncture, facing legal battles, public skepticism, and uncertainty over execution. The Supreme Court’s final ruling in the coming months will determine whether Adani Group retains the project or if Seclink Technologies gets another chance.
The case also sets a precedent for large-scale urban redevelopment in India, highlighting the need for transparency, fairness in bidding, and protection of vulnerable communities. Whether the project becomes a model for slum transformation or a case study in mismanagement will depend on how these legal and logistical challenges are addressed.
By – Nikita
