A fresh political controversy has been triggered in Maharashtra after the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s plan to purchase private land for compensatory afforestation was questioned by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut.
The issue was raised after an expression of interest was floated by MSRDC for the direct purchase of privately owned land parcels across the state. The land is proposed to be used for compensatory afforestation, which is required for securing environmental and forest-related approvals for infrastructure projects. Since several expressway projects are being planned by the agency, land for green cover is required to be identified and handed over to the forest department.
However, the timing of the move was criticised by Raut, who linked it to the redevelopment of a large plot at Bandra Reclamation. In a post shared on X on Maharashtra Day, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP questioned why private land was being sought for green development when government-owned land had already been made available earlier. It was alleged by him that land reclaimed for the Sea Link project, which was expected to be developed as a green zone, had been handed over for real estate redevelopment. Raut referred to the Bandra Reclamation plot and said that the situation reflected irony. According to him, land that could have been preserved as a green space was given away, while fresh private land was now being sought for afforestation. The state government was also questioned by him over whether it believed that people would not understand the contradiction.
As per the MSRDC’s expression of interest, land offered for compensatory afforestation must be located within Maharashtra and should measure at least five hectares at a single location. The land title must be clear and marketable, and the plot must be free from encumbrances, mortgages, claims or legal disputes. In the case of ancestral land, a no-objection certificate from all names appearing on the 7/12 extract has been required.
The land acquisition process is expected to be carried out on a direct purchase basis. An MSRDC official indicated that this requirement has been linked to approvals from departments dealing with environment, forests, wildlife and coastal regulation zones. The controversy has also revived attention on the February 2024 Bandra Reclamation redevelopment deal, in which Adani Realty emerged as the highest bidder for a 24.2-acre plot. The company had offered a 22.7 percent revenue share, higher than the 18 percent offered by Larsen & Toubro. The land parcel reportedly has a development potential of 45 lakh square feet and is valued at around ₹30,000 crore.
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