June 13, 2025: The much-anticipated Dharavi redevelopment project has hit a major roadblock as the 42.51 acres of salt pan land allocated in Mulund remain entangled in legal proceedings, stalling the commencement of any construction activity.
Despite the Maharashtra state government formally allotting the land—part of a 58-acre parcel in the Jamasp area of Mulund—in October last year and transferring possession to developers in April this year, no groundwork has begun. This delay is largely due to the pending permissions and environmental clearances that have yet to be obtained by the project’s developer, Nav Bharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL).
According to officials, NMDPL has not yet applied for the essential green clearances, including approvals from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As a result, the site remains dormant.
Complicating matters further, a legal dispute surrounding the salt pan land is currently being heard by the Supreme Court. The apex court has ordered that status quo be maintained on the disputed land parcel until the next hearing scheduled for July 22. An official from the Mumbai Salt Commissioner’s office confirmed that while 42.51 acres have been earmarked for the Dharavi project, a legal plea has been filed by the lessee over the remaining land, prompting judicial intervention.
This delay is a significant setback to one of India’s largest slum redevelopment schemes, which aims to rehabilitate over a million residents of Dharavi into modern housing and infrastructure. With litigation pending and critical approvals yet to be secured, the project’s timeline remains uncertain—raising concerns over cost escalations and continued hardship for residents awaiting relocation.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is being closely watched as a litmus test for Mumbai’s broader urban renewal and slum transformation ambitions.
Source: The Free Press Journal
