Adani Group driving Maharashtra's economic growth: Industry leaders at Mumbai conclave
Synopsis
At the Hindu Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave 2026 in Mumbai, industry leaders singled out the Adani Group's twin bets — Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Dharavi Redevelopment Project — as the most visible proof that large-scale public-private partnerships can reshape Maharashtra's economic geography. The Dharavi Experience Centre is set to open before 15 August, with a 2047 horizon in view.
Key Takeaways
Industry leaders at the Hindu Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave 2026 in Mumbai credited Adani Group with driving Maharashtra's holistic economic growth.
Adani Group investments span the Navi Mumbai International Airport , Dharavi redevelopment, electricity, and renewable energy.
Kalyankar confirmed the Dharavi Experience Centre will open before 15 August 2025 , with the master plan finalised.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called for development to extend from Mumbai to Gadchiroli , covering the full breadth of Maharashtra.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project will include a new metro corridor , bus feeders, and non-motorised transport infrastructure to create a transit-oriented neighbourhood.
Industry veterans and experts at the Hindu Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave 2026 in Mumbai on 22 May 2025 said the Adani Group is channelling large-scale investments into Maharashtra — from the Navi Mumbai International Airport to the redevelopment of Dharavi — positioning the state as a model for public-private partnership in mega infrastructure.
Key Voices at the Conclave
Jamshed, Distinguished Fellow at the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), said the Adani Group's footprint in electricity and renewable energy was also contributing meaningfully to the state's development. He argued the Maharashtra experience could serve as a template for other states on how private and public partnerships can deliver large-scale projects.
Dr. Mahendra P. Kalyankar, Chief Executive Officer of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Mumbai, said skill development for Dharavi residents would be integrated into the broader redevelopment plan. 'The Dharavi Experience Centre will be established before August 15. The master plan is ready. We are definitely moving forward. By 2047, with a developed Maharashtra and a developed India,' he said.
Deputy CM Shinde Outlines Statewide Vision
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stressed that development must reach beyond the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — from Mumbai to Surjagad and as far as Gadchiroli. 'The work that we have done on infrastructure, roads, flyovers, metro, affordable housing, health, education, environment, we got a chance to showcase it here at the conclave,' he said.
Shinde also outlined the vision for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), emphasising housing rights, dignity, and the goal of making Mumbai slum-free by providing homes to all current residents.
Dharavi: From Asia's Largest Slum to Urban Showcase
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is being described as India's most ambitious urban rehabilitation initiative, aimed at transforming Asia's largest slum into a transit-oriented development with world-class public amenities. The master plan rests on three guiding principles: driving economic change through redevelopment, building resilient ecology and infrastructure, and fostering an equitable Dharavi.
Planned connectivity upgrades include a new metro corridor through the core of Dharavi, bus feeder systems, dedicated infrastructure for non-motorised transport, and a fine-grain street network to enhance last-mile connectivity and walkability across all neighbourhoods.
What Comes Next
The Dharavi Experience Centre is expected to open before 15 August 2025, marking a visible milestone in the project's public-facing rollout. With the master plan finalised, attention will shift to execution timelines, resettlement logistics, and the pace of private investment commitments from the Adani Group.
Point of View
But the Dharavi Redevelopment Project has faced years of delays, litigation, and resident concerns over resettlement terms — none of which were surfaced at the event. Framing a single conglomerate as the engine of a state's 'holistic' growth also raises questions about the depth of competitive bidding in mega projects. The 2047 horizon is a convenient long stop; the more pressing test is whether the Dharavi Experience Centre actually opens by 15 August and whether resettlement commitments are met on schedule.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What role is the Adani Group playing in Maharashtra's development?
The Adani Group is investing in several large infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, most notably the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Industry leaders at the Hindu Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave 2026 also cited the group's work in electricity and renewable energy as contributing to the state's broader economic growth.
What is the Dharavi Redevelopment Project?
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is India's most ambitious urban rehabilitation initiative, aiming to transform Asia's largest slum in Mumbai into a transit-oriented development with modern housing, public amenities, and multi-modal connectivity. The master plan is built around economic redevelopment, ecological resilience, and social equity.
When will the Dharavi Experience Centre open?
According to SRA CEO Dr. Mahendra P. Kalyankar, the Dharavi Experience Centre is set to be established before 15 August 2025. He confirmed the master plan is finalised and the project is moving forward.
What did Deputy CM Eknath Shinde say at the conclave?
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said development in Maharashtra must extend beyond the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, reaching from Mumbai to Surjagad and Gadchiroli. He also emphasised the Dharavi redevelopment's goals of housing rights, dignity for residents, and making Mumbai slum-free.
How will Dharavi's connectivity change under the redevelopment plan?
The Dharavi master plan includes a new metro corridor through the area's core, bus feeder systems, dedicated non-motorised transport infrastructure, and a fine-grain street network designed to improve last-mile connectivity and walkability across all neighbourhoods.
