‘Same promise for 25 years’: Locals as Adani’s Dharavi plan turns MVA’s rallying cry

The proposed Adani redevelopment project in Dharavi has become a contentious issue in Maharashtra’s high-decibel poll campaign. Amid the opposition’s allegations of the Adani Group being given preferential treatment under the NDA government, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has promised to scrap the Dharavi project and this is gradually turning into a rallying cry for the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

The Mahayuti government has thrown its weight behind the project, asserting that private investment is essential to transform Dharavi with improved infrastructure and housing for its residents.

But Dharavi isn’t new to such politics. Over the last two decades, its residents have seen a host of unfulfilled promises with every election. In this election, it has to choose between Rajesh Khandare from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Jyoti Gaikwad, sister of Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, on November 20.

What do locals feel about the redevelopment project?

“For the last 25 years, Dharavi has been listening to the same promise over and over again but everyone leaves after the election,” says a resident.

Surveys are underway but many families fear their members will be homeless or cramped in smaller rooms considering the eligibility criteria for relocation. “We will not budge, the government can do whatever they want,” says another.

Watch.

Additional inputs by Khyati Pandya.

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