Govt inaction behind Wadala salt pan land encroachment: Salt commissioner
Mumbai: Dumping of construction debris, encroachments and unauthorised commercial activities have been continuing on Wadala’s salt pan lands for years due to inaction by various government departments, the salt commissioner has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The operator of the three plots in question received a status quo order from the Bombay high court, with proceedings still underway (Raju Shinde/HT Photo) The operator of three adjoining parcels of salt pan land at Wadala, measuring more than 84 acres, has been “taking undue advantage” of the inaction by authorities other than the salt department “by allowing the truck parking, dumping of construction waste and debris, arranging marriage functions etc,” the commissioner told the NGT via an affidavit dated December 22. The affidavit was filed in pursuance with a petition filed by the nonprofit Vanshakti in 2024, which alleged that debris dumping began on the plots began around 2019 and intensified during the pandemic. The plots fall under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) – 1, where debris dumping and construction are restricted. On Tuesday, Hindustan Times …
