Dharavi Redevelopment Gets Boost with 256 Acres of Salt Pan Land Allocated

Mumbai : In a major development aimed at accelerating one of the country's most ambitious urban renewal projects, the Maharashtra state government has approved the allocation of approximately 256 acres of salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The designated land parcels are located in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup.

These plots will be used to rehouse ineligible residents of Dharavi, providing an alternative solution to the pressing housing issues plaguing one of Asia’s largest slums. However, the move has sparked concerns among environmental groups due to the ecological sensitivity typically associated with salt pan lands.

Addressing these concerns, DRP CEO SVR Srinivas clarified that the lands in question lie on the western side of the Eastern Expressway—well away from the sea and creek areas—and have been officially decommissioned for salt production for nearly a decade.

“These areas have not seen any salt manufacturing for years, and the seawater hasn’t even reached these zones since the construction of the Eastern Expressway,” Srinivas said. “They are not part of the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) and do not serve as flood buffers.”

He further assured that all necessary environmental approvals will be secured before construction begins. “We will comply with all applicable environmental regulations. The project will only commence once the green signal is received from the relevant authorities,” he added.

This step aligns with Mumbai's Development Plan 2034, which had earmarked salt pan lands for affordable housing when it was approved in 2018. The plan had projected the need for 1 million affordable homes by 2021, including 3.5 lakh for economically weaker sections.

Notably, the idea of utilizing salt pan lands for housing is not new. In 2007, the Congress-led state government proposed using over 2,000 hectares for resettlement of project-affected people. More recently, the Central Government’s Excise and Customs Department began developing 55 acres of salt pan land in Wadala for office and staff quarters.

Echoing the urgency of the situation, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated, “Without using salt pan land, Mumbai’s redevelopment is impossible. We must take bold, balanced decisions now, or risk being overwhelmed by the city’s growing population.”

While opposition to the move continues from some quarters, proponents argue that repurposing these decommissioned lands is a necessary and responsible step toward bringing dignity and proper housing to lakhs of slum dwellers, many of whom have lived in precarious conditions for generations.