Only 16% of city’s salt pans can be developed: MMRDA

Mumbai: No more than 16% of Mumbai's 5,430 acres of salt pans—or about 880 acres—can be made available for future development, according to a report prepared by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in 2010. 

    The findings of the report, which had not come into the public domain thus far, is bound to be a disappointment to builders and politicians eyeing the sprawling eco-sensitive tracts as potential real estate bonanza. The most comprehensive official assessment of the status of salt pans, the document was prepared by an eight-member team headed by the then MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad. 
    The report said around 3,766 acres (69%) of salt pans of the city's total 5,430 acres are "out of bounds". 
SALTED AWAY The city has about 5,430 acres of salt pan land 
2,302 acres fall under CRZ-I, which prohibits any form of construction 
Around 1,464 acres encroached upon or utilized 
30% or 1,633 acres can be made available for development. But of this, about 753 acres fall under CRZ-II, CRZ-III and no-development zone 
'Net land available for development' is 880 acres All salt pans under CRZ-I, can't be developed: Activist 
    An MMRDA report said around 3,766 acres (69%) of salt pans of the city's total 5,430 acres are "out of bounds". This is because 2,302 acres fall under coastal regulation zone (CRZ) I, which prohibits any form of construction. The remaining 1,464 acres of the 3,766 acres are off limits since they are already encroached upon or utilized. 
    The document provided a breakup of the area squandered in construction. 
    Nearly 390 acres of salt pans, it said, have been lost to large-scale encroachment by some of suburban Mumbai's landmark residential colonies such as "Garodia Nagar in Ghatkopar, Chheda Nagar in Chembur, Bangur Nagar in Goregaon and Star Builder Bhandup". A further 44 acres are encroached upon by slums, while 359 acres are either lost in litigation or have ownership disputes. Another 483 acres were acquired by the state government to build the Eastern Express Highway, a sewage plant and a cemetery. Finally, 187 acres were given to the central government to build various staff quarters. 
    Among the remnants of Mumbai's open spaces, the salt pans are viewed by some as possible development space. The state government wants the salt pans to rehabilitate slumdwellers, project-affected people or build affordable homes. Allegations abound, however, that hidden in the proposal to create public amenities is a plan to commercially exploit salt pans to build towers and malls. Environmentalists remind that the lands constitute Mumbai's last oxygen reservoir and should be left untouched. 
    The MMRDA report said that only 30% (1,633 acres) of 5,430 acres of salt pans can be made available for development. But of this, about 753 acres fall under CRZ-II, CRZIII and no-development zone. Hence, the "net land available for development" is 880 acres; the report suggested that this land be shared equally between the state government and the Centre. 
    It also recommended that the big chunk falling under CRZ-I (2,302 acres) be given to the state government to plant trees and "other environmental upgradation measures." However, if CRZ-I rules are relaxed in the future, it added, the Centre should get the first right to choose and take back 50% of such developable land. 
    Debi Goenka of the NGO Conservation Action Trust stressed that all of Mumbai's salt pans fall under CRZ-I "since they are all located within the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line and are affected by tidal flows. There is no question of salt pans being graded as CRZ-II or CRZ-III." 
    The city's salt pans are spread over Ghatkopar, Chembur, Trombay, Mandale, Turbhe, Anik, Wadala, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Nahur and Mulund in the eastern suburbs, and Malvani, Dahisar, Mira-Bhayander and Virar in the western belt. Of the 31 salt works, seven are on lease and 24 have been given on licence for salt production. 
    The 2010 report said that salt pans in Malwani, Pahadi, Ghatkopar, Chembur and Dahisar have no development potential. Of the 863 acres in these five locations, 389 acres are encroached upon. 
    Over the past decade, builders linked with powerful state politicians are believed to have approached salt pan owners and urged them to cut deals. Political clout is something salt pan owners would welcome. Several are in litigation with the salt department over ownership titles. 
    In 2006, the Vilasrao Deshmukh government chalked up a plan to carve up salt pan lands between three parties—the Centre, the state government and developer. The lessee of the land was to be eased out through cash compensation. The developer would have been required to provide on-site and off-site infrastructure. In return, the developer would have received incentive FSI for commercial use. The plan was however put incold storage.