Mumbai Government Proposes Reducing Construction on Mangroves and Saltpans to 65% for Redevelopment Projects

Mumbai, 7th August 2024: Approximately seven months after abandoning plans for affordable housing on mangroves and saltpans and focusing solely on the redevelopment of high-density slums in these areas under Special Development Zones (SDZs), the government has now proposed limiting construction on these plots to 65% instead of the previously planned 80%. The remaining land would be allocated to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for public open spaces. While this change may seem like a positive development for Mumbai, citizen activists warn that any construction on saltpan and mangrove lands could lead to severe environmental consequences.

Last month, the state’s Urban Development Department issued a corrigendum inviting feedback on proposed changes to Regulation 33(8) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2034 (DCPR 2034), which governs affordable housing in SDZs, and Regulation 34 of the same regulations, which outlines land use conditions. This change will apply to plots with 350-499 tenements per hectare.

An activist criticized the corrigendum, suggesting it misleads the public. “SDZs encompass saltpan and mangrove areas, previously designated as no-development zones. The recent landslides in Wayanad highlight the risks of altering these eco-sensitive areas. Destroying these lands, which act as environmental buffers, will leave us ill-equipped to handle climate-related disasters,” the activist said.

The activist further explained that while there is a need for more open spaces like parks and playgrounds, developing these on SDZ lands is inappropriate given their ecological sensitivity.

Architect and activist Nitin Killawala added that slums are spread across Mumbai, with ample land available to accommodate slum redevelopment outside these sensitive areas. “The government should focus on developing existing slums rather than encroaching on environmentally critical lands,” he said.

In a separate notification applicable to all of Maharashtra except Mumbai, the government has proposed allowing affordable housing on industrial plots, with one-quarter of the units designated as service quarters. These service quarters would be available for purchase by buyers of the flats in the same project. Officials noted that these quarters are intended for use by household staff such as domestic helpers and drivers. The affordable housing units are also planned to accommodate former factory workers, staff, and tenants from the industrial plots, with the remaining units allocated to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for distribution.