Uddhav Thackeray Vows to Block 'Adani City' Transformation of Mumbai

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized the tender awarded to Gautam Adani for the Dharavi redevelopment, describing it as a potential trap. Thackeray vowed to prevent Mumbai from turning into 'Adani City' and insisted that Dharavi residents receive adequate housing without displacement.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday voiced strong opposition against turning Mumbai into what he termed 'Adani City.' He criticized the decision to award the Dharavi redevelopment tender to Gautam Adani, describing it as a potential trap that needs to be scrapped.

'During Manmohan Ji's government, GIFT City was coming here, we welcomed it. Modi Ji took GIFT City to Gujarat. Now giving GIFT City to Gujarat and Adani City to Maharashtra, we will not let this happen,' Thackeray declared. He added that Mumbai's unique identity should remain intact, and Dharavi residents must receive 500-square-foot homes under any redevelopment plan.

Thackeray expressed concerns over the lack of clarity in the redevelopment plans for Dharavi, questioning where current residents would go. 'There is no mention of how Dharavi will be developed. Where will Dharavi residents go? If you look at the tender, it seems like a trap. The tender should be cancelled. Dharavi residents should definitely get a 500-square-feet house,' he emphasized. He demanded no displacement of residents during redevelopment, urging that if Adani couldn't meet these requirements, the tender should be reissued.

'Our demand is that no one from Dharavi should ever be displaced. If Adani can't do it, they should surrender and a re-tender be issued,' Thackeray said. He reiterated his resolve not to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's plans to turn Mumbai into an Adani city.

'In Dharavi, we launched a campaign that redevelopment should give people their rightful homes. Modi and Shah claim to make Mumbai an Adani city, but we will not let that happen,' Thackeray stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)