Nirupam writes to Modi, wants action against CM

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking immediate action against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his decision to unlock salt pan land along with No Development Zones for affordable housing in the Development Plan 2034.

Mr. Nirupam said Mumbai cannot afford to have these tracts “fall prey” to the builder lobby.

In his letter, Mr. Nirupam said, “CM Devendra Fadnavis has been deliberately trying to defile the ecological balance of Mumbai. And it is extremely unfortunate to watch this happen even after the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Mumbai as the fourth most polluted metropolitan city in the world.”

Requesting the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter, he said, “The chief minister has been favouring the builder lobby ever since he took over in 2014. This has been happening at the cost of the life of Mumbaikars. The CM claims to have the salt pan land unlocked to create affordable housing. However, looking at the proximity of the land to Mumbai, it is bound to be unaffordable for most. Then why is the CM fooling Mumbaikars and filling his own coffers?”

Salt pan land in the city is spread over 2,100 hectare.

The letter added, “July 26, 2005, marks a black day in the history of Mumbai, as more than 500 people lost their lives when the city was submerged under water due to floods. According to the DP, 300 hectares of salt pan land which serves as a natural buffer during heavy rains and high tides will be utilised for affordable housing, thus destroying the region’s biodiversity and increasing the chances of similar deluge in future.”