Earlier this month, the Maharashtra government approved acquiring 255.9 acres of environmentally sensitive salt-pan land from the Central government to house individuals excluded from the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project. While the Central government approved the transfer in September, environmental activists and Dharavi residents have opposed it. Salt pans help mitigate flooding, raising concerns about environmental hazards. The land will be used for affordable housing for those ineligible for Dharavi’s redevelopment. Opposition parties claim the plan prioritizes corporate interests over residents' needs. Environmentalists warn of potential flooding, referencing the deadly 2005 deluge, urging the government to reconsider its approach.
Earlier this month, the Maharashtra government approved the acquisition of 255.9 acres of environmentally sensitive salt-pan land from the Central government. This land will be used to house individuals excluded from the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The Central government had granted approval for this transfer in September, following a request from Maharashtra to allocate three parcels of salt-pan land in Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, and Mulund for the redevelopment initiative. However, this decision has met with strong opposition from Dharavi residents advocating for in-situ rehabilitation and from environmental activists who decry it as an ecologically hazardous choice. Salt pans serve as natural buffers, absorbing rainwater and mitigating flooding in Mumbai.
The state intends to utilise the acquired land for rental and affordable housing projects for those unable to secure homes in Dharavi. Eligibility for housing within Dharavi has been limited to residents whose tenements were built before January 1, 2000, while others will be accommodated in rental housing elsewhere in the city. Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by the state and the Adani Group, will oversee the rehabilitation of residents on the newly acquired land. DRPPL will be responsible for leasing payments and compensating existing lessees if the lease agreement is terminated.
In September, Valsa Nair Singh, the additional chief secretary of the State Housing Department, sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry urging prompt action to facilitate the land transfer for the Dharavi project. This communication followed directives from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Environmental activists have condemned the plan, warning that it may lead to catastrophic flooding similar to the July 26, 2005, deluge, which resulted in over a thousand fatalities.
Opposition parties have criticised the government’s decision, asserting that it favours corporate interests over the welfare of local residents. They demand that the government clarify its plans for land allocation and emphasise the need for rehabilitation within Dharavi itself. Maharashtra boasts approximately 13,000 acres of salt-pan land, with 5,379 acres located in Mumbai. Of this, only 1,781 acres are deemed developable under the DCPR 2034 guidelines. While residential buildings already exist on 88.365 acres of salt-pan land, ongoing disputes and encroachments complicate the landscape.
In conclusion, Maharashtra government’s decision to acquire salt-pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project raises pressing concerns about environmental sustainability and community welfare. As opposition mounts, the government faces significant pressure to address these issues and reconsider its approach to urban development in Mumbai.
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