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Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Dharavi redevelopment: Bombay HC rejects PIL challenging govt move to use 256 acres of salt pan land for rehabilitation
The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a city-based lawyer challenging the Maharashtra Government's decision to acquire 255.9 acres of salt pan land in the city for the rehabilitation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne passed the order on a PIL by lawyer and social activist Sagar Kantilal Deore. The salt pan land parcels, owned by the Centre, are located between Mulund, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup. They were to be handed over to Adani Realty, which is spearheading the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) aimed at creating a rental housing scheme for ineligible slum dwellers in the area. In February 2024, the state Cabinet had authorised a proposal to request the Union government to transfer salt pan land for the Dharavi project on a 99-year lease. Deore, the petitioner, had challenged the validity of state Government Resolutions (GRs) of September 30 and August 7, 2024, for use of the land for rehabilitation of ineligible PAPs and for the affordable housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PAY). The PIL also challenged the Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry which laid down guidelines for transfer of salt pan lands, based on which the state government took the impugned decision. The petitioner claimed that the state's decision was in contravention of past judgments of the Supreme Court and the high court as the said land is mapped under wetland inventory where constructions are prohibited. He argued that the land is situated in a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area, therefore no rehabilitation can be allowed on it. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, representing the central government, opposed the PIL, stating that it was filed in a 'casual and cavalier manner.' He added that the PAPs were required to be rehabilitated and no law prohibited use of salt pan lands for such a purpose. The court observed that petitioner had not carried out any research and failed to disclose the basis of the information raised in the PIL. It referred to a past Supreme Court judgment which held that good cause can be lost due to petitions filed without proper research. The court further stated that while the salt pan lands were included under wetlands as per a 2012 notification of the central government, in 2024, the Centre changed the policy and permitted transfer of salt pan lands at concessional rate for certain purposes. Therefore, 'it is evident that salt pan lands are excluded from wetlands,' it noted. The court observed that the PIL had not challenged the validity of the change in policy and the petitioner 'failed to demonstrate that salt pan lands cannot be utilised for rehabilitation,' therefore it deserved to be dismissed. 'Needless to state that due consideration will be given to environmental related issues while implementing the project,' the high court added.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Name Navi Mumbai airport after D B Patil by June 24 or face strike: PAPs
NAVI MUMBAI: With the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport drawing near, tensions are rising among the project-affected persons (PAPs) over the delay in naming the airport after their long-time leader, Dinkar Balu Patil. Members of the Agri-Koli community, the Project Affected Persons (PAP), whose land and livelihoods were affected by the massive infrastructure project, have issued a firm ultimatum - name the airport after D B Patil by June 24 or face renewed agitation. Navi Mumbai: Locals gather at Palm Beach Road near CBD Belapur as they protest against the naming of Navi Mumbai International Airport, in Navi Mumbai, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_24_2021_000067B) (PTI) The date holds significance as it marks the 12th death anniversary of Patil, a revered leader among PAPs and the broader Agri-Koli community. The airport - now over 90% complete - has already begun signing agreements with airlines in anticipation of operations beginning within a few months. However, despite repeated assurances and resolutions passed at the state level, the Union government has not officially confirmed the airport's name. The issue first flared up when the Uddhav Thackeray-led government proposed naming the airport after Bal Thackeray. Facing severe backlash from PAPs and community leaders, the administration eventually relented. The succeeding Mahayuti government passed a resolution to name the airport after D B Patil in its very first cabinet meeting. The resolution was cleared by both houses of the state legislature and forwarded to the Centre. Despite these moves, the absence of a formal announcement from the central government has intensified suspicion and frustration among PAP leaders. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site in early 2024, and when former civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia arrived a day after, neither addressed the naming demand. Although Union minister of state for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol assured in October 2024 that the airport would soon be named after Patil, the promise has yet to materialise. 'We don't see our issues being prioritised,' said Dashrath Patil, president of the Loknete D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport All Party Action Committee. 'The airport is nearly ready, but the name is still a question mark. We've appealed to the chief minister and deputy CMs. If no action is taken by June 24, we'll escalate our agitation.' A massive car and bike rally involving thousands of PAPs is being organised for June 24 as a tribute to Patil as well as a show of strength. 'The rally will be our way of showing how strongly we feel about this. If the government continues to ignore us, we'll make our protest louder,' said Nilesh Patil of the Agri-Koli Youth Foundation. The sentiment is echoed by many in the region, who feel marginalised in key decisions, including the naming of the recently inaugurated Atal Setu bridge. 'We've been sidelined in every major project,' said Jagdish Gaikwad, former Panvel deputy mayor. 'If there's no name, there will be no flight. That's our stand.' Bhushan Patil, another PAP leader, accused the government of making empty promises. 'Even the boards with Patil's name were removed. We're being disrespected,' he said. However, BJP MLA Prashant Thakur has assured the community that the naming will happen. 'Several meetings have taken place with the CM and central ministers. The union civil aviation minister has said the name will be finalised once the airport is ready. We are confident that the announcement will come,' he said.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Union Minister Kishan Reddy commences two-day visit to Eastern Coalfields Limited
New Delhi: Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India, G Kishan Reddy , began his two-day visit to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) today. During his visit on 20 and June 21, the Minister will review operations at the Jhanjra Underground Mine and Sonepur Bazari OCP , inaugurate the Eco Park at Jhanjra named as 'Sindoor Park' to commemorate the recent successful ' Operation Sindoor ' and participate in the grand celebration of International Day of Yoga 2025 at the Eco Park, as stated in the release. The Minister will also inaugurate the newly constructed Mahudanga Rehabilitation Site, said the release. Additionally, extending support to local communities, Reddy will distribute appointment letters to candidates under compassionate employment as per NCWA guidelines and provide tricycles to people with disabilities at RN Colony, Sonepur Bazari Area, ECL. As part of his engagement, Reddy will hold interactive sessions with stakeholders across the mining ecosystem, including coal mine workers who have played a vital role in achieving the milestones for the organization. He will also visit Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) sites to meet Project Affected Peoples (PAPs) and felicitate employees for exceptional performance. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Aaditya Thackeray opposes immediate demolition of Elphinstone Bridge, calls for delay until post-festive season
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has declared his party's opposition to the immediate demolition of the historic Elphinstone Bridge in Parel, urging authorities to defer the work until after the festive season later this year. His comments come in the wake of widespread protests by residents, which forced officials to postpone the planned demolition over the weekend. Originally scheduled to commence shortly after midnight on Friday, the demolition was halted when thousands of residents living near the Elphinstone Road Bridge took to the streets in protest. A crucial meeting between the affected residents and officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is now scheduled for today (Monday), to determine the next steps. In a post shared late Sunday evening on social media platform X, Aaditya Thackeray outlined the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s position. 'We will NOT let the government shut down this connector until the Ganpatrao Kadam Marg work is completed and the Sion Bridge is opened for traffic. Sane Guruji Marg is also partially under construction. Along with this, residents of the chawls near Elphinstone Bridge must be assured of in-situ redevelopment by MMRDA officials,' he stated. Thackeray further suggested that the authorities should first complete the remaining parts of the Worli-Sewri Elevated Corridor — including the construction of ramps and the launching of girders — before proceeding with the bridge's demolition. 'Only after alternative East-West connectors are operational and residents are assured of their housing should the Elphinstone Bridge be dismantled, ideally after the festive season concludes,' he added. He also stressed the need for better coordination between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and MMRDA to avoid confusion and disruption. The Elphinstone Bridge, a British-era structure, is a critical link for local commuters. The planned demolition is part of the larger project to construct the Worli-Sewri Elevated Corridor over the Western and Central Railway lines, aimed at easing Mumbai's notorious traffic congestion. However, residents have expressed deep concerns that vibrations from the demolition and subsequent construction could cause severe damage to their century-old buildings. With no concrete rehabilitation plan yet provided by the MMRDA for the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), tension in the area has been escalating.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Project-affected people stall Elphinstone Road bridge closure over rehab row
Mumbai: The scheduled closure of Elphinstone Road bridge at 9 pm on Friday was stalled after project-affected people (PAPs) staged a protest, demanding in situ rehabilitation. The bridge is to be dismantled for the Sewri-Worli connector project . The protesters rejected the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority 's (MMRDA) offer of monetary compensation based on Ready Reckoner rates and insisted on housing instead. According to the MMRDA, 23 families from Haji Noorani Chawl and 60 from Lakshmi Nivas Chawl fall within the project's alignment. The affected tenements range from 100 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft. A traffic police official said traffic diversion plans had already been drawn up and would be implemented anytime. Residents said that the MMRDA was going ahead with the closure without a rehabilitation plan for them. The protest also led to traffic snarls in the stretch. The Elphinstone Road over-bridge will be dismantled in phases, with the approach removal by May 30 and complete dismantling, including railway portions, scheduled for July 10. The new bridge in its place will be completed in two years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Senioren entdecken eine einfache Lösung gegen Nagelpilz Heilratgeber Weiterlesen Undo This will be the fifth British-era bridge in Mumbai to shut down, following the closure of Sion ROB, Carnac bridge, Bellasis bridge, and Reay Road bridge. These century-old structures outlived their lifespan and are being reconstructed for safety, but their closure has already led to severe traffic snarls, with further disruptions expected. The reconstructed Elphinstone ROB will be a double-decker flyover connecting Senapati Bapat Road to BR Ambedkar Road. Another arm will provide direct connectivity to MTHL at Sewri and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link at Worli.
