The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-powered committee to address pending legal disputes related to salt pan lands at Kanjurmarg (Survey No. 657A) and Bhandup (Survey No. 730), which are crucial to the progress of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).
The decision was formalized through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Housing Department on September 3, 2025. The move follows approvals from the central government to transfer 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai and its suburbs for construction of rental and affordable housing for ineligible residents displaced under the Dharavi Redevelopment scheme.
Committee Composition
The committee will be chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Forest Department, with the following members:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Housing Department
- Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department (UD-1)
- Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA
- Collector, Mumbai Suburban District
- Chief Executive Officer & Special Officer, Dharavi Redevelopment Project (Member Secretary)
The panel’s mandate is to pursue and resolve the ongoing and pending court cases connected to the central government-owned salt pan lands.
Background
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the world’s largest slum redevelopment initiatives, requires additional land to rehouse ineligible residents outside Dharavi’s notified boundaries. While the central government had approved the transfer of 255.9 acres of salt pan land for this purpose, progress was hampered due to ongoing litigation around the Kanjurmarg and Bhandup plots.
By setting up this empowered committee, the state government aims to expedite legal clearances and ensure smoother execution of the project.
What’s Next
The GR notes that the committee will provide guidance and take necessary legal steps to resolve disputes, enabling the construction of rental and affordable housing for thousands of families. This marks another significant step in pushing forward the ambitious Dharavi project, which has faced multiple delays over land and legal issues.
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