Adani’s Data Collection for Mumbai Slum Revamp

The Dharavi slum in Mumbai, spanning 640 acres and housing up to 1 million residents, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. For decades, the slum has been a challenge for urban planners and authorities, who have struggled to provide adequate infrastructure, sanitation, and housing for its inhabitants. Now, the Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, is taking on the ambitious task of transforming the landscape of Dharavi through a comprehensive redevelopment project.

The Adani Group, in collaboration with the state of Maharashtra, secured the bid for the $614 million redevelopment project in 2023, after years of legal disputes and delays. The project aims to provide free homes to eligible residents of Dharavi, as well as create commercial and recreational spaces, public amenities, and green areas. The project is expected to take 10 years to complete and will cover 500 acres of the slum.

However, before the actual redevelopment work can begin, a crucial step is underway to identify the beneficiaries of the project. The Adani-led firm is set to launch a data and biometric collection initiative starting in February 2024, which will involve a door-to-door survey of all the residents of Dharavi. The survey will use questionnaires to gather detailed information about the occupants, such as their nature of occupancy (residential or commercial), proofs of ownership, and biometric data. The objective is to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution of free homes and prevent any undue advantage for ineligible people.

The eligibility criteria for the free homes are stringent: only those who have been residents of Dharavi before the year 2000 will qualify. According to S.V.R. Srinivas, head of the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA) overseeing the project, the last survey conducted 15 years ago revealed outdated information and did not include biometric data. He stated that “teams will go to each and every house… biometric data will be collected” . He also added that the final decision on who will get free homes or relocation will rest with the DRA.

The survey will be conducted in two phases: a pilot phase involving a few hundred residents within three to four weeks, and a comprehensive exercise expected to take nine months. The survey will cover around 1 million residents, out of which around 7,00,000 are estimated to be ineligible for free homes . These residents may face relocation or high rent payments after the redevelopment. The survey will also determine how many residents use their premises for commercial purposes, such as workshops or shops.

The redevelopment project has faced opposition from some political parties in India, who have alleged favouritism and corruption in awarding the bid to Adani. They have also raised concerns about the environmental and social impact of the project on Dharavi’s residents and ecology. However, both the state government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, and Adani have denied any wrongdoing or irregularities.

Adani has assembled global teams to spearhead the project, with Srinivas expressing optimism about starting the redevelopment work within a year . He said that the project will not only improve the living conditions of Dharavi’s residents but also boost the economy and tourism of Mumbai. He said that “Dharavi is not just a slum but a gold mine” .