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The Maharashtra government has reclassified two parcels of salt pan land in Wadala, Mumbai, from Natural Area (NA) to Residential Zone (R Zone), permitting construction activities. The 20,318.82 square meters of land will accommodate a gymkhana for the IAS Officers Association and warehouses for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The land is not ecologically sensitive, lacking mangroves or hills, and has been temporarily used by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited. The government has invited public suggestions and objections regarding this land use change.
The Maharashtra government has recently announced the reclassification of two salt pan land parcels in Wadala from Natural Area (NA) to Residential Zone (R Zone), allowing for construction activities. This decision paves the way for the development of a gymkhana for the IAS Officers Association and warehouses for storing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. Advertisement
The total area of the two land parcels is approximately 20,318.82 square meters. The first plot, measuring 6,475 square meters, will be developed into a warehouse for EVMs and VVPAT machines. The second plot, covering 13,843.82 square meters, is designated for the construction of a gymkhana for civil services officers. These areas were previously designated as Natural Area in the Development Plan of Mumbai (DP-2034), reserved for rehabilitation, resettlement, or public amenities. The urban development department issued a notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, to modify this reservation.
An official confirmed that the land does not contain any hills or mangroves and has been temporarily utilized by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited. Additionally, some structures already exist on parts of the land. The district collector had previously requested the revenue department to release these parcels from the Natural Area reservation for public purposes.
Historically, EVMs were stored in various locations, including foodgrain warehouses, Mumbai Port Authority offices, and schools. However, the Chief Electoral Officer's office now plans to establish dedicated warehouses for EVMs and VVPATs. Such warehouses have already been constructed in 21 districts across Maharashtra, with similar facilities proposed for Mumbai.
The government has published a notice inviting public suggestions and objections regarding the proposed land use change. This move is part of broader efforts to repurpose underutilized land for public infrastructure and services.
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