At the AajTak Agenda platform, Pranav Adani, Managing Director of Adani Group (Agro and Oil & Gas), expressed his views on various topics. When asked if businessmen often become 'soft targets' for political accusations, he assertively responded that in a democracy, everyone is accountable. However, if you maintain transparency, there is no need to fear any allegations.
Pranav Adani stated, “We are in a democracy. In a democracy, everyone is accountable. If allegations are made, investigation is natural. But if you've done nothing wrong and have a clean governance model, there is no need to worry. Different states may have different political preferences, but the need for development and investment is the same everywhere.”
He highlighted that despite varied political environments across states, they all desire investment and want people to come invest in their regions.
Pranav Adani also discussed the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, which is seen as the world's most complex and largest urban renewal initiative. For the first time globally, a model is being implemented where residents will be rehabilitated while living in Mumbai. Dharavi has a 40-year history of redevelopment attempts, which were never realized. Now, an international tender has been released, giving the Adani Group the opportunity to undertake the redevelopment.
He further elaborated, questioning how rehabilitation is perceived. He emphasized that the project is expected to bring prosperity over time, being an intense developmental phase in Mumbai. The plan includes constructing 200,000 homes in the slums, with the government ensuring homes for those living there before the year 2000, while those settled after 2000 will be given homes elsewhere in Mumbai.
He acknowledged the primary concern: whether people will receive a home after vacating their land. Understanding this issue, the Adani Group plans to build homes first, hand over the keys to residents, and then continue with redevelopment work.
'Mumbai Should Have 2 to 3 Airports'
Regarding Mumbai Airport, Pranav Adani compared it with cities like London that have 4 to 5 airports. He advocated for 2 to 3 airports in Mumbai. The new airport in Navi Mumbai will significantly reduce travel time by approximately half an hour. He mentioned ongoing infrastructure development projects across different states. Notably, the expansion of Assam's airport is planned, owing to its strategic location. Substantial investment should have been directed there much earlier.
