On Thursday, January 20, two Maharashtra ministers, Aaditya Thackeray and Jitendra Awhad declared that salt pans spread across more than 5,500 acres in Mumbai will not be permitted for development.
Thackeray, the state environment minister took to Twitter saying, "Being asked about allowing residential/ commercial construction on salt pan lands, I reiterate that there will be none of such residential or commercial construction allowed on salt pan lands. There is more than enough space apart from these lands to construct on."
Being asked about allowing residential/ commercial construction on salt pan lands, I reiterate that there will be none of such residential or commercial construction allowed on salt pan lands. There is more than enough space apart from these lands to construct on.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 20, 2022
Thackeray's statement comes in the aftermath of the MMRDA receiving bids for the appointment of a consultant to curate a master plan for the development of Mumbai's salt pans that are eco-sensitive zones.
On the other hand, housing minister Awhad tweeted, "Salt Pan lands in Mumbai should not be given for construction purpose residential or commercial it will prove disastrous for Mumbai". On Friday, Awhad remarked that the chief secretary of Maharashtra had called a High Power Committee meeting on the salt pan. Awhad was of the opinion that the chief secretary should look at the views of the chief minister and cancel the meeting.
The chief secretary of #Maharashtra has called an High Power Committee meeting on salt pan he should look at the views of #CM and cancel the meeting and scrap the #HPC on salt pan #saltpan
— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) January 21, 2022
Awhad remarked, "MMRDA commissioner should scrap the tenders called for the appointment of PMC for salt pans which in coming years will make doors open for builders in salt pans".
According to reports, Awhad further added that while the salt pan lands come under the Centre, any development on them will need permission from the BMC and state housing department. He is believed to have discussed the problem with the state chief minister and the environment minister. All of them are claimed to have unanimously decided to reject any proposal for the construction on the salt pans in order to save them.
Awhad is of the opinion that the salt pans act as barriers to hold seawater from coming into the hinterland and also manage underground water table, thus, disturbing them could wreak havoc for Mumbai and Thane.
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