Mumbai High Court Halts Construction on Land Reserved for Sewage Plant Expansion
In a significant development for Mumbai's urban infrastructure, the Bombay High Court has issued an order halting further construction of transit camp buildings on land owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This land was specifically reserved for the expansion of the Worli sewage treatment plant (STP), a crucial component of the city's sanitation system.
High-Level Meeting to Address Court Directives
A crucial meeting was convened on Tuesday at the urban development department, bringing together officials from the BMC and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The primary agenda was to deliberate on the High Court's directions and chart a way forward in compliance with the judicial order.
The court has specifically asked the state government and the BMC to file affidavits clarifying a critical legal question: whether the original STP land parcel of 27,964.04 square meters was legally reduced to 17,756.4 square meters. This reduction allegedly occurred at the behest of the housing department without undertaking a minor modification to the Development Plan under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act.
Examining the Impact on Critical Infrastructure
Officials present at the meeting focused their discussions on whether the reduced STP land area needs to be restored to ensure the plant's full functionality. The government has described the Worli sewage treatment plant as "critical infrastructure", drawing a vivid comparison to a kidney in the city's sanitation system, emphasizing its vital role in maintaining public health and environmental standards.
A June 2024 communication from the state government to the BMC revealed how the area designated for the STP was reduced by 10,208 square meters. The letter, addressed to the CEO of SRA and the BMC commissioner, indicated that the BMC had requested the transfer of an area measuring 17,756.40 square meters in accordance with Development Control Rules 2034. This request replaced the earlier proposed 27,034 square meters that had been earmarked for the pumping station.
Procured Materials and Political Intervention
According to civic sources, the raw materials required for setting up the sewage treatment plant at Worli have already been procured. However, these materials currently lie unused in a godown at Bhiwandi, as construction work on the STP has not yet commenced. This situation highlights the practical implications of the delays and legal challenges surrounding the project.
Adding a political dimension to the issue, Congress party leader in the BMC, Ashraf Azmi, has sent a letter to the BMC chief demanding clear written instructions. Azmi has called for prohibiting any SRA approvals on BMC-owned or utility-reserved land without lawful consent. Furthermore, he has demanded a comprehensive audit of all transit camp approvals granted by the SRA on reserved or municipal lands, suggesting broader concerns about land use practices.
The meeting examined these matters thoroughly in the wake of the court order, recognizing the complex interplay between urban development needs, legal compliance, and infrastructure priorities. The outcome of these deliberations is expected to have significant implications for Mumbai's future urban planning and sanitation infrastructure development.
