Pranav Adani: New Homes Will Be Handed Over Before Dharavi Redevelopment Begins

Pranav Adani, Managing Director at the Adani Group, has assured Dharavi residents that redevelopment will only begin after they receive keys to their newly constructed homes. Speaking during his first television interview at Agenda AajTak, Adani outlined a clear, phased rehabilitation plan aimed at addressing one of Mumbai’s most complex urban transformation challenges.

Calling the Dharavi redevelopment “one of the world’s most significant urban renewal projects,” he said the company will construct nearly 2 lakh new homes before initiating demolition or reconstruction of existing structures. This, he emphasised, marks a decisive shift from earlier attempts over four decades that stalled due to lack of trust and clarity around relocation.

New Homes Before Redevelopment

Adani reiterated that residents would not be asked to vacate their current homes without guaranteed alternative housing.

“First we will build your house, give you the keys, you will move into it — only then will redevelopment begin,” he said, addressing long-standing fears of displacement.

Under the government’s rehabilitation framework:

• Residents who lived in Dharavi before 2000 will be allotted homes within the redeveloped area.

• Post-2000 residents will be provided alternative housing in other parts of Mumbai.

A Modern Urban Blueprint

The redevelopment plan includes:

• Upgraded infrastructure

  

• Better connectivity

• A multimodal development model

• Phased construction already underway

Adani said the project’s blueprint is finalised, and work has begun on several components, marking the most concrete progress Dharavi has seen in decades.

Adani on Mumbai, Bihar, Assam, and AI

Beyond Dharavi, he spoke about:

• Mumbai’s need for more airports to meet global standards

• Ongoing Adani Group projects in Assam (including airport development)

• Growth opportunities in Bihar, particularly through smart-meter initiatives and cement capacity expansion

Addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, Adani said AI would transform rather than eliminate jobs, creating new employment avenues while reshaping existing roles.

He added that India’s improved ease of doing business environment is motivating more young entrepreneurs to build new ventures.