Saltpan Land Allotted For Dharavi Project Is Safe, Says DRP CEO

The land parcels allotted for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project are safe for construction and not subject to Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions. The project’s chief and CEO, SVR Srinivas, clarified this on Thursday amid environmental concerns over the use of saltpan lands.

“The actual creek and wetlands, which attract migratory birds like flamingos, lie east of the expressway. The west side, where the DRP lands are located, has no such ecological sensitivity or CRZ restrictions.

"All necessary environmental clearances will be duly obtained prior to the commencement of construction activities. The project will strictly adhere to all applicable environmental regulations, and work will begin only after receiving the requisite green approvals and ensuring full compliance with statutory norms,” said Srinivas.

The Maharashtra Government has approved around 256 acres of saltpan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup for resettling ineligible residents from Dharavi. The saltpan parcels lie on the western side of the Eastern Expressway and have had no contact with the sea “for nearly a decade,” according to Srinivas.

“Years ago, these parcels were officially decommissioned by the Salt Commissioner of India. No salt manufacturing has been happening there for nearly a decade now. The seawater never even reached these areas after the construction of the eastern expressway.

"There is no issue with construction of affordable housing there and, unless we don’t take such judicious steps today, the city could crumble under the population burden in the coming years,” he said.

Addressing ownership concerns, Srinivas clarified that the land has been legally transferred from the Government of India to the Government of Maharashtra and then to DRP/SRA for rehabilitation purposes.

“The Government of India has allotted this land to the Government of Maharashtra, which is being handed over to DRP/SRA – GoM for resettling ineligible Dharavikars. So, the title of the land always remains with GoM. In the entire Dharavi Project, all allotted lands (outside Dharavi) are being transferred by the land-owning authorities to DRP/SRA - GoM. Only the premium for the lands is being paid by Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt. Ltd. All land parcels will be with the state government always,” he added.

A spokesperson for NMDPL – the special purpose vehicle formed as a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group – also questioned opposition to the plan.

“It beats logic that if building car sheds wouldn’t cause flooding, why constructing homes for the poor would? This highlights that those opposing the use of salt pan land for affordable housing (for slum dwellers) lack a long-term vision for Mumbai’s growth,” the spokesperson said.

Saltpan land use for housing dates back to the 2007 Congress-led state government and was also included in the Development Plan 2034 approved during the united Shiv Sena’s term in power. A total of 10 lakh affordable homes are required for Mumbai, including 3.5 lakh units for the economically weaker sections, as per government estimates.

The DRP CEO added that “The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is not just a housing project; it’s a human transformation mission, aiming for a slum-free Mumbai.”