A proposed Rs 2,800-crore transferable development rights (TDR) grant linked to a 193-acre land parcel at Chitalsar-Manpada has triggered a political storm in Thane. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad on Tuesday demanded a high-level inquiry by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, warning of legal action against the transaction.
Allegations of Manipulation
Awhad alleged that the disputed land at the foothills of Yeoor, long treated as forest land, was handed back to its private owner through manipulated transactions and administrative inaction. He questioned the forest department's silence despite the land being under its control for decades.
“How can forest department land be transferred to a private owner and then reserved by Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC)? The plot is a 245-meter-high hill within a protected eco-sensitive zone where the state’s unified DCPR provisions do not apply. Yet, the TDR proposal is being processed without mandatory environmental clearances,” Awhad told reporters after a meeting with Thane civic chief Saurabh Rao.
Political Support and Opposition
The issue has drawn support from MNS’s Swapnil Mahindrakar, who raised similar objections. Awhad questioned TMC’s sudden withdrawal of a special leave petition and said the state law and judiciary department’s apparent dithering to pursue the matter before the Supreme Court has fuelled suspicions of collusion. He demanded clarity on whether the TDR proposal would ultimately be sanctioned.
The controversy has also reached the civic body. Thane BJP corporator Narayan Pawar has moved a calling attention motion seeking details on where the massive floor space index generated through the transaction will be utilised. “There is no transparency in the case and elected representatives have not been informed despite the potential impact of the transaction on Thane’s water supply, sewage and transport infrastructure,” he said.
Official Response
A senior TMC official maintained that all due procedures had been followed in the transaction. The official declined to comment further on the allegations, stating that the matter is sub judice.
The proposed TDR grant has raised concerns about environmental compliance and transparency in land dealings. With multiple political leaders demanding a probe, the issue is likely to escalate in the coming days.
