After Controversial Dharavi Redevelopment Plan, Adani Enters Agreement to Redevelop Motilal Nagar

New Delhi: Adani Properties on Monday entered an agreement with Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) for the redevelopment of Motilal Nagar in Mumbai's Goregaon (West).

This will be the second largest redevelopment project being spearheaded by the Adani group after the controversial Dharavi slum redevelopment project.

In March, the firm had sent the winning bid for the project at Rs 36,000 crore. The 142-acre project was also being eyed by other conglomerates like Larsen & Toubro.

The project aims to rehabilitate the residents of Motilal Nagar into 1,600 sq ft apartments at no cost. Non-resident tenants will be provided 987 sq m of commercial space as part of the project.

“The long-cherished dream of the residents of Motilal Nagar is now taking concrete shape. We aim to make this the finest redevelopment project in the country, ensuring transparency, quality, and social commitment through Mhada's implementation," said Mhada vice-president and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal.

However, Motlial Nagar’s residents have registered their opposition to the project.

Yuvraj Mohite, president of Motilal Nagar Vikas Samiti, was quoted by the Times of India as saying, "We are disappointed and oppose this agreement. The decision has been taken without consulting residents. Despite our repeated representations and formal submissions to both the CM and Mhada requesting a minimum of 2,000 sq ft carpet area, our demands have been ignored. Instead, the agreement mentions 1,600 sq ft built-up area. We may take to the streets to protest."

Mhada said that the project, declared a ‘Special Project’ by the Maharashtra government, will deliver 397,100 square metres of constructed area from Adani Properties. Motilal Nagar 1, 2, and 3 colonies currently comprise 3,700 tenements. The construction for the project is expected to be completed within seven years, Mint reported.

The Adani-led Dharavi redevelopment project has been at the centre of controversy since its inception – first over the alleged partisan choice of firm for the project and then the controversial rehabilitation plans proposed by the Adani group.

The plan to rehabilitate Dharavi’s ‘non-eligible’ tenements in areas like the Deonar landfill, salt pan lands in Wadala and Kanjurmarg, and the Kurla Dairy plot have drawn widespread criticism. The Deonar landfill is an active landfill site and unfair for human habitation. Concerns have also been raised about sending Dharavi residents into far-flung areas, away from their community and place of work.

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