Bombay HC dismisses PIL challenging transfer of salt pan lands for Dharavi redevelopment project affected people
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne was hearing PIL challenging the government's approval of transferring 256 acres of salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to accommodate ineligible residents of Dharavi.
The court dismissed the PIL, citing a lack of research and evidence to support the information raised in the PIL. The Court also observed that salt pan lands are excluded from wetlands after the Centre changed policy in 2024, permitting the transfer of salt pan lands for specific purposes. PIL has failed to prove that salt pans cannot be utilised for rehabilitation.
The lawyer Sagar Devre challenged the State's decision to hand over the salt pan land parcel in Mulund, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup to Adani for a rental housing scheme for ineligible residents of Dharavi and the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Office Memorandum (OM), which enables the transfer of land. The State proposed to the Centre, which owns the salt pans, for the transfer of land for the Dharavi PAP project on a 99-year lease in February last year.
According to Mr. Devre, how can land be used for construction when it is situated in a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area. While on behalf of the Central government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh argued PIL was filed casually.
While dismissing the PIL, the HC also asked the government to consider environmental issues during execution.
Sanjay Devre said, 'Will take the matter to the Supreme Court and file a detailed petition.'
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