Adani Dharavi SPV launches 24-hour interactive AI helpline for residents

Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV) company undertaking the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), officially announced here on Wednesday that it has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform called ‘Dharavi Didi’, which will act as a 24×7 interactive AI companion answering all questions from Dharavi slum dwellers regarding the project’s redevelopment and rehabilitation.

The ‘Dharavi Didi’ interactive AI platform, which is accessible through video calls, voice calls and WhatsApp, will interact in Hindi, Marathi and English, according to the ANDPL statement, adding that the platform will provide similar support in Tamil, Telugu as well as Gujarati in the coming months, reflecting Dharavi’s cultural and linguistic diversity.

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However, there was no mention of Odiya language or Bengali language support on the ‘Dharavi Didi’ interactive AI platform.

“The initiative reflects ANDPL’s evolving engagement with Dharavi residents, pairing its extensive on-ground outreach with technology to make official information more accessible, transparent and inclusive. ‘Dharavi Didi’ extends that engagement beyond the field, ensuring trusted information is available whenever residents need it,” according to the statement.

The 24×7 interactive ‘Dharavi Didi’ AI companion will give residents instant access to official information on surveys, eligibility, documentation, rehabilitation and every stage of the redevelopment journey, according to the ANDPL statement.

“Whether residents want to understand surveys, eligibility, required documents or project updates, ‘Dharavi Didi’ is available round the clock to provide clear answers in a simple and conversational manner. Alongside our ongoing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) initiatives, this is another step towards making authentic information easily accessible to every Dharavikar. Residents no longer have to wait for office hours to receive answers from official sources,” according to the statement.

The Adani Group’s SPV Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL) is a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group. It is executing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), which is said to be ‘the largest urban rejuvenation project in the world’ and ‘the first step towards making Mumbai slum-free’.

It may be recalled that the Adani Group emerged as the winning bidder for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) in November 2022, pledging an initial investment of Rs 5,069 crore to kickstart the long-awaited transformation of one of Asia’s largest slum clusters.

The ANDPL has a 7-year deadline to construct the homes required for rehabilitation, while the government has set an overall 17-year timeline to complete the full redevelopment of Dharavi. About 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh new homes will be constructed to rehabilitate about 10 lakh residents of Dharavi, according to the deal with the Maharashtra government.

“Our objective is to ensure that every resident has direct access to accurate and verified information. ‘Dharavi Didi’ is designed to answer questions with clarity, build confidence through transparency and help residents make informed decisions throughout the redevelopment journey,” according to the company statement.

According to the company statement, the ‘Dharavi Didi’ interactive platform is built with simplicity in mind and is designed to be accessible even for first-time digital users. By making official information readily accessible, Dharavi Didi helps residents better understand the redevelopment process and navigate each stage with confidence.

“As the redevelopment unfolds, ‘Dharavi Didi’ will continue to evolve with new information and services, helping residents stay informed and navigate every milestone with confidence. For a project that will transform one of the world’s largest informal settlements, earning trust through transparent communication is every bit as important as building new homes,” the company statement added.