September 8, 2025: The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to resolve legal disputes related to salt pan lands in Kanjurmarg and Bhandup, earmarked for rehabilitating ineligible residents of Dharavi under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).
The Dharavi redevelopment, led by Adani Group’s Navbharat Mega Developers Limited (NMDPL) in partnership with DRP, is one of the largest urban renewal projects in India. While construction on railway land has begun in the first phase and biometric surveys of residents are underway, a major challenge has emerged in securing land outside Dharavi for housing those who do not qualify for rehabilitation within the settlement.
The Centre had earlier approved the transfer of 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai and its suburbs to the state government for this purpose. However, portions of this land—specifically at Kanjurmarg (Survey No. 657 A) and Bhandup (Survey No. 730)—are tied up in court disputes, delaying acquisition.
To address this, the state housing department announced on September 3 the formation of a committee chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Forest Department. Members include the Additional Chief Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (Navi-1), the Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, and the District Collector of Mumbai Suburban. The CEO of DRP will serve as the member secretary.
The committee’s mandate is to follow up on pending and ongoing judicial matters, secure possession of the disputed salt pan lands, and ensure progress in the rehabilitation process.
This marks the first time in the Dharavi project that provision has been made to offer rental housing to ineligible residents outside Dharavi, underscoring the government’s intent to balance legal complexities with inclusive redevelopment goals.
Source: Loksatta
