Bombay High Court Upholds Adani Group’s Dharavi Redevelopment Tender

On Friday, the Bombay High Court upheld the tender awarded to Adani Properties Private Limited by the Maharashtra government for the Dharavi slum redevelopment project.

The court dismissed a petition filed by UAE-based Seclink Technologies Corporation, which had challenged the awarding of the project to Adani.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, ruled that the petition lacked merit and did not warrant further consideration.

As a result, the court dismissed the petition, allowing the Maharashtra government’s decision to stand.

Adani Group had emerged as the highest bidder for the 259-hectare Dharavi Redevelopment Project with an offer of Rs 5,069 crore in the 2022 tender process.

Cancellation Of 2018 Tender Led To New Bidding Process

This followed the cancellation of a 2018 tender in which Seclink Technologies had bid Rs 7,200 crore but did not receive the contract.

The state government had cited several reasons for canceling the 2018 tender, including the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The government also pointed out that the 2022 tender included additional conditions and a new 45-acre land parcel made available by Indian Railways, which influenced the tender process.

Seclink Technologies first challenged the cancellation of the 2018 tender and then contested the award of the 2022 tender to Adani Group.

The government defended its actions, stating it conducted the tender process transparently and did not grant any undue advantage to Adani. The court agreed, finding no legal grounds to support Seclink’s claims.

The government further emphasized that no formal contract had been established between Seclink and the state, reinforcing its position that the petition lacked the necessary legal basis to proceed.

In its ruling, the court upheld the state’s decision to issue a fresh tender, with the option for all interested parties to submit new bids, including Seclink, under the revised terms and conditions.

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