What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context of the Article)
• About Salt Pans (Meaning, Maharashtra’s Plan, Terms, Concerns, Way Ahead, etc.)

Background:

• In October 2024, the Maharashtra government made a notable decision to allocate 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai's eastern suburbs for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
• This land will be used for constructing rental houses to resettle residents from the slum area of Dharavi.
• The move has sparked debate among urban planners, environmentalists, and government officials due to its ecological and urban planning implications.

What are Salt Pans?

• Salt pans are low-lying coastal areas where salt is cultivated through the evaporation of seawater. These lands are ecologically significant because they serve several crucial functions:
  • They act as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and mitigating the risk of flooding in coastal regions.
  • They support intertidal activities and provide habitats for a diverse range of flora and fauna.
  • Salt pans form part of a coastal area’s natural defense system against storms and flooding.
• Due to these characteristics, salt pans are considered critical for maintaining ecological balance, especially in densely populated cities like Mumbai, where flood risks are high.

The Maharashtra Government’s Decision:

• The state of Maharashtra has about 13,000 acres of salt pan land.
• The Maharashtra government’s plan involves using three major salt pan land parcels for the project:
  • Arthur Salt Works Land in Kanjur (120.5 acres)
  • Jenkins Salt Works Land in Kanjur and Bhandup (76.9 acres)
  • Jamasp Salt Works Land in Mulund (58.5 acres)
• These lands will be used to develop rental housing for people displaced from Dharavi, as part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).
• This development is part of the larger Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 plan, which aims to open up 1,781 acres of salt pan land for development.
• The land parcels being allocated are owned by the Central government, and in September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for transferring the land to the Maharashtra government for this purpose.

Terms for the Allocation of Land:

• The Maharashtra government has set specific terms for the allocation of salt pan land:
  • The land will be leased for 99 years at 25% of the prevailing market rate.
  • The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in which the Adani Group holds an 80% stake and the State government a 20% stake, will be responsible for paying the land revenue to the Central government.
  • The SPV will bear the costs of resettling laborers currently working on the salt pans and other incidental expenses related to land acquisition.
• Importantly, the land allocated for housing projects cannot be used for commercial activities and is strictly reserved for rental housing, slum rehabilitation, and affordable housing for economically weaker sections.

Concerns from Urban Planners & Environmentalists:

• The decision to use ecologically sensitive salt pan lands for housing has raised several concerns:
• Ecological Impact:
  • Salt pan lands, especially those near the Eastern Express Highway, play a vital role in protecting Mumbai’s eastern suburbs from flooding.
  • Urban planners argue that an impact assessment study should be conducted before allowing large-scale construction on these lands.
• Formation of Ghettos:
  • One of the key concerns regarding the Dharavi Redevelopment Project is the relocation of residents to different parts of the city, which could lead to the creation of ghettos, segregating communities rather than integrating them.
  • Urban planners have advocated for in-situ rehabilitation, where people are resettled within or near their original locality.
• Legal Challenges:
  • Environmentalists have raised concerns about the impact of intensive urban activity on such a delicate ecosystem.
  • They argue that the entire process could face legal challenges, particularly regarding environmental clearances.
  • Before any construction begins, the project will require approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Conclusion:

• The use of salt pan lands for housing developments, particularly for the DRP, is a controversial move that involves a delicate balance between addressing urban housing needs and protecting the environment.
• While the Maharashtra government aims to provide affordable housing to economically weaker sections, environmentalists and urban planners caution that the ecological impact of such a decision needs to be carefully assessed to avoid long-term consequences.
• With the salt pan lands being an essential part of Mumbai’s defense against flooding, their development for housing must be approached with caution and thorough impact studies.