Why is it in the news?

• The Maharashtra government has allocated 255.9 acres of salt pan land for the construction of rental homes as part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
• This decision, made through a government resolution, involves three parcels of land in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.

More about the news

• Maharashtra has approximately 13,000 acres of salt pan land, with over 5,000 acres located in Mumbai. Under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR-2034), 1,781 acres of this land are designated for development.
• The Central government approved the transfer of these parcels after a request from the Maharashtra government. The land will be leased at a concessional rate of 25% of the prevailing market value.
• The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), a special purpose vehicle with 80% ownership by an Adani Group entity and 20% by the state, will oversee the land. They are responsible for resettling labourers and covering any associated costs.
• The land is intended for rental housing, slum rehabilitation, and affordable housing for economically weaker sections, under a 99-year lease that prohibits commercial activities.
• However, urban planners and environmentalists have raised concerns about the absence of an impact assessment study prior to allocating large areas for housing. They argue that the salt pan lands along the Eastern Express Highway are vital for preventing flooding in the eastern suburbs.
• There is a strong demand for in-situ rehabilitation, as critics fear that spreading residents across different city areas could result in the creation of ghettos.
• Additionally, the potential ecological impact of intensified development in these sensitive areas requires thorough examination.
• After the Centre transfers the land to the State government, the DRPPL can commence construction following the approval of their plans, which will also require clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• Environmentalists have warned that this process may face legal challenges, and the government body, DRP, will manage any litigation in accordance with the Maharashtra government’s resolution.