The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, recognized as one of the world's largest urban regeneration programs, presents a "massive execution challenge" for the Adani Group as it aims to rehabilitate more than one million residents and construct over 125,000 housing units within the next seven to eight years, according to an ANI report citing an HSBC Global Investment Research report.
Scale and Complexity of the Project
In a report titled "One of the world's largest urban regeneration projects," HSBC highlighted that the scale and complexity of the redevelopment make it one of India's most ambitious real estate projects. The report described it as "a massive execution challenge," noting that the developer plans to complete the rehabilitation phase over the next seven to eight years while simultaneously undertaking major infrastructure and environmental restoration works.
Dharavi, spread across approximately 600 acres in central Mumbai, is home to more than one million people and is widely regarded as Asia's largest slum. The redevelopment involves a rehabilitation component spanning 95 million square feet and the construction of more than 125,000 housing units for eligible residents.
Key Details of the Rehabilitation Plan
According to the HSBC report, the 95 million square feet of rehabilitation will involve more than one million slum dwellers, for whom over 125,000 units are planned. The rehabilitation exercise will be spread across multiple locations. "Half of these are planned in the current area of Dharavi while the rest is spread across six areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)," the report added.
The report also noted that Adani has identified clear execution targets for the project. The first building on the land parcel of Indian Railways is expected to be handed over in December 2026, while construction of around 30,000 units is expected to be underway in FY27.
Infrastructure and Environmental Upgrades
Beyond housing, the redevelopment plan includes a range of infrastructure and civic upgrades. The company also plans to provide 10 years of operation and maintenance for the rehabilitated units, clean up the Mithi River and Deonar dumping ground, develop a 6-kilometer long mangrove creek, and construct a Marine Drive-style promenade along the Mithi River, among other infrastructure upgrades, the report said.
Public-Private Partnership
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project was approved in 2022 and is being implemented as a public-private partnership between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group. HSBC stated that the project aims to transform Dharavi into "an urban transit-oriented hub" through rehabilitation, infrastructure modernization, and the development of residential and commercial real estate.
According to the report, the overall redevelopment covers around 225 million square feet, making it one of the largest urban renewal projects currently under execution anywhere in the world.
