The Supreme Court has refused to put a pause on the ongoing redevelopment of Dharavi, Mumbai’s largest slum, which is being undertaken by the Adani Group. The decision comes after Dubai-based Seclink Technology Corporation (STC) challenged the Maharashtra government’s 2022 decision to issue a fresh tender for the project, despite STC winning the original bid in 2019.
Supreme Court’s Decision
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar declined to issue a status quo order, noting that substantial work had already begun on the project. Machinery worth crores had been purchased, and demolition work, including the clearance of Indian Railways quarters, was already underway.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Adani Group, emphasized that hundreds of workers were engaged at the site, further supporting the argument that stopping the project at this stage would be impractical.
Seclink’s Offer and Legal Battle
Seclink, represented by Senior Advocate C Aryama Sundaram, argued that the 2022 rebidding process was unfair. The company even expressed its willingness to increase its original bid of ₹7,200 crore by 20%, raising it to ₹8,640 crore. However, the Supreme Court directed Seclink to submit an affidavit explaining the revised offer.
Previously, on December 19, 2024, the Bombay High Court had dismissed STC’s plea, rejecting allegations that the tender conditions were designed to favor the Adani Group. The court found no merit in claims that the process had been manipulated to exclude other bidders.
Adani Group’s Bid and Project Scope
In November 2022, Adani Properties won the bid to redevelop approximately 259 hectares of slum land in Central Mumbai. The company emerged as the highest bidder with an offer of ₹5,069 crore. Including an additional ₹2,800 crore payment to Indian Railways, the total bid amount reached ₹7,869 crore.
Despite legal challenges, the Maharashtra government proceeded with awarding the contract to Adani Properties, which was officially confirmed through a government resolution on July 13, 2023, followed by a formal work order on July 17, 2023.
Future of Dharavi Redevelopment
The redevelopment of Dharavi is one of India’s most ambitious urban renewal projects, aiming to transform the densely populated slum into a modern residential and commercial hub. While legal disputes continue, the Supreme Court’s refusal to halt the project suggests that the Adani Group will continue its work unless further legal intervention occurs.
The Dharavi redevelopment is set to reshape Mumbai’s landscape, but debates around fairness, transparency, and corporate influence in large-scale infrastructure projects are likely to persist.
