The Adani Group is expanding its presence across Congress-led and other non-Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states, with the conglomerate pursuing or executing projects spanning roads, ports, power, renewable energy, cement and data centres totalling about Rs 5 lakh crore as state governments seek private capital for economic development, infrastructure and job creation.
In Karnataka, Adani Enterprises emerged as the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-kilometre north-south tunnel road connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board in Bengaluru. The company bid Rs 22,267 crore for the project, Rs 3,500 crore lower than the second-lowest bidder, according to sources. The group announced MoUs worth more than Rs 42,700 crore in 2024, including Rs 24,500 crore for three pumped-storage projects, Rs 13,200 crore for a hyperscale data centre and Rs 3,500 crore for cement grinding units.
The ports-to-energy and airports group, WHICH was once considered close to the BJP, now has a project pipeline that increasingly cuts across political lines, with governments from Karnataka and Telangana to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh seeking investments from the conglomerate, sources said.
Tamil Nadu, previously governed by the DMK and now by TVK – both politically aligned with the Congress- has also attracted a significant Adani investment pipeline.
Karnataka Government Faces Pressure Over Bengaluru Traffic Project
The Karnataka government is under scrutiny regarding its decision to advance a major infrastructure project aimed at alleviating Bengaluru’s severe traffic congestion. This scrutiny arises after the project’s bid surpassed the government’s initial cost estimates, raising concerns about its feasibility and political implications.
Recently, Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group, met with Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru, shortly after the bid details were made public. This meeting has intensified discussions about the government’s commitment to the project amid rising costs.
In a related context, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone successfully developed the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, a deep-water container transshipment facility. This project was initiated under the previous Left Democratic Front government and has continued under the current Congress-led administration, highlighting the complex interplay of political dynamics in infrastructure development in the region.
Congress-led governments and other opposition administrations are increasingly willing to engage the conglomerate when seeking large-scale investment, infrastructure development and employment.
Sources said the pattern is clear – Adani’s infrastructure ambitions are no longer confined to BJP-governed states.
