MUMBAI, July 17 -- The proposal to hand over two key BEST bus depots at Dharavi and Kalakilla for the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) was approved by the BMC's general body on Thursday after a heated debate between the ruling alliance and the opposition. Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi opposed the proposal, alleging that the BMC was steadily transferring prime properties to private companies. He pointed out that it had last month already approved the transfer of 11.57 acres of BEST land to the Adani Group-led joint venture Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd without even assessing its market value, and added that dues of nearly Rs.400 to Rs.500 crore from previously leased properties were still pending. With the BMC expected to pay liabilities of around Rs.28,000 crore next year, he questioned why the value of the depot land had not been disclosed and why no independent third-party valuation had been conducted before approving the proposal. The corporator also cited other instances: the proposed redevelopment/transfer of Shivaji Maharaj Market, Century Mills, and the Mother Dairy land in Kurla also for the DRP. He said it was contradictory for the BMC to part with its land assets while simultaneously raising funds through municipal bonds. "If the BMC is like a mother, then we are her unworthy sons if we allow her assets to be given away like this," Azmi said. BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao defended the proposal, saying redevelopment was essential for the Dharavi project and BEST's financial sustainability. She admitted five redeveloped depots still owed BEST about Rs.300 crore, including Rs.170 crore interest, but said safeguards had been built into the new plan. After visiting the Versova Seven Bungalows depot, she said its poor condition and alleged nighttime misuse prompted BEST to abandon redeveloping the remaining 22 depots through PPP. Citing staff shortages after 1,000 retirements and promised government funding, she urged corporators to unanimously approve the proposal for the undertaking's future viability....